THE Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has released Omoyele Sowore, a human rights activist, following a brief detention upon his arrival at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport on Sunday, September 15, 2024.
Sowore, who had been abroad, was apprehended following an alleged order issued by the newly appointed Director of the State Security Services (SSS).
Announcing his detention earlier today on his X handle, Sowore, stated that the operatives also confiscated his passport, adding that he was told they had an order to detain him upon his arrest.
“I had just arrived in Nigeria from the USA to the MMIA in Lagos; upon reaching Nigerian Immigration, my passport was seized, and they told me they had orders to detain me.
“This is not unexpected because I have always known that It is part of the broader clampdown by the fascist @officialAbat regime on dissent and their fear of the upcoming #FearlessINOctober revolt.
“In case this becomes another prolonged and protracted detention, I urge our citizens to ensure they ALL stop tyranny by all means acceptable and necessary, by engaging in the planned series of direct actions slated for October 1st and beyond.”
Also, a member of the Take It Back Movement, a human rights movement, committed to defending human and civil rights, Omolola Pedro, who was at the airport awaiting the arrival of Sowore confirmed the development to The ICIR.
The ICIR also obtained a video of people calling for his immediate release.
Earlier today, a rally was held with participants chanting #FreeSowore. This followed reports of the detention of activist and @SaharaReporters publisher Omoyele Sowore.@YeleSowore said he he was detained by security operatives at Lagos airport.
He has, however, tweeted that… pic.twitter.com/gxisBZlowF
— The ICIR (@TheICIR) September 15, 2024
Meanwhile, shortly after his initial tweet, Sowore said that he had been released, with his passport returned to him.
“I have just been released by the Nigerian Immigration after a brief detention and my passport was released back to me,” Sowore wrote.
The ICIR reports that the arrest occurred a few days after the former presidential candidate, raised an alert over the alleged plans of the Nigerian government to arrest him upon his arrival in Nigeria.
According to him, the secret police has placed him on the watchlist over his participation in the #EndBadGovernance protest.
“The current administration, led by Tinubu, has demonstrated an upgraded inability to effectively track and apprehend terrorism suspects, bandits, and kidnappers, while the @officialEFCC has yet to arrest former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.
“Meanwhile, the lawless @OfficialDSSNG has upgraded my status and name on their “watchlist” for arrest upon arrival in Nigeria.
“It is imperative to recognise that our country Nigeria requires salvation and our people need liberation, which will necessitate considerable effort. I intend to return home shortly, I mean VERY SOON,” Sowore wrote on his X handle.
It also came amid heightened tension and concern regarding the crackdown on protesters, media and human rights activists.
On September 9, the president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Joe Ajaero, was arrested by the operatives of the State Security Service, (SSS) while on his way to attend an official engagement of TUC United Kingdom.
The arrest followed allegations of terrorism financing, subversion, and treasonable felony, which had led to rising tensions between the Nigerian government and the NLC.
While the SSS or the Nigerian immigration has yet to release an official statement regarding the specifics of the arrest or the charges against Sowore, the news of his detention sparked concerns and reactions from various Nigerians on social media.
Usman Mustapha is a solution journalist with International Centre for Investigative Reporting. You can easily reach him via: [email protected]. He tweets @UsmanMustapha_M