Omoyele Sowore, the convener of the #RevolutionNow movement and publisher of SaharaReporters, has been released after being detained at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Sunday. The detention, orchestrated by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), followed a watchlist directive issued by the Department of State Services (DSS).Sources revealed that Sowore was apprehended upon his arrival in Nigeria. His passport was confiscated by immigration officials, who reportedly contacted the DSS for further instructions on the situation.
In a statement to SaharaReporters following his release, Sowore confirmed the return of his passport and personal belongings. "I have just been released. My passport and everything have been returned to me," he said, signaling the end of the brief standoff.
Recall that earlier today this morning, Activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has confirmed his detention upon arrival at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, from the United States. Sowore, in a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, disclosed that his international passport was confiscated by Nigerian Immigration officials, who stated they had orders to detain him.
Sowore’s tweet read: “DETAINED BY THE @NigerianImmigration, my international passport confiscated. 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.”
The arrest, Sowore claims, is part of a broader government crackdown on dissent, which he attributes to the administration of President Bola Tinubu. He referred to the government as a "fascist regime" and linked his detention to the upcoming #FearlessInOctober protests, aimed at demanding accountability and reforms in governance.
Sowore continued, stating: “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.” Despite being held, the outspoken activist urged Nigerians to persist in their fight against what he described as tyranny and to join in the series of protests slated for October 1st.
The incident follows a leaked Department of State Services (DSS) memo that had revealed plans to arrest Sowore due to his involvement in the #EndBadGovernance protests. Authorities have not yet released an official statement regarding the reasons behind the seizure of his passport and detention.
Supporters of Sowore, who had gathered at the airport anticipating his return, have expressed deep concern about the possibility of a prolonged detention. This event adds to Sowore's history of confrontations with the Nigerian government, including previous arrests and legal battles.
This incident has sparked renewed attention toward the activities of security agencies in Nigeria, particularly in how they handle political figures and activists. Sowore's involvement in the #RevolutionNow protests has consistently placed him in the spotlight of government scrutiny.
Sowore’s detention is the latest in a series of confrontations with Nigerian security agencies, as he remains a vocal critic of the government’s policies and practices.
