Omoyele Sowore, a prominent human rights advocate, was detained by the Department of State Services (DSS) upon his arrival in Nigeria from the USA on the morning of September 15.
He disclosed his detention via a post on the X platform.
”I HAVE BEEN DETAINED BY @NigerianImmigration with my passport confiscated. After arriving in Lagos, my passport was taken, and I was informed that there were orders for my detention. I anticipated this as part of a larger crackdown by the oppressive regime of @officialAbat aimed at stifling dissent and based on fears surrounding the upcoming #FearlessINOctober protests. Should this lead to a lengthy detention, I call upon citizens to resist tyranny in every acceptable way and to participate in the planned actions set for October 1st and beyond. #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria #RevolutionNow”.
Sowore’s arrest follows his claim on Saturday that Nigerian security operatives were seeking to locate him in Ondo State, allegedly to frame him with false charges.
Sowore stated, “Yes! They are trying to track me down in my hometown, claiming they want to pin a fabricated guilt on me.
“But Babylon must fall! #FearlessInOctober.”
Additionally, at the time of reporting, Sowore’s supporters were assembled at the airport, insisting on his release and threatening to block all airport activities until he is freed.
Below is a clip of his supporters demonstrating;
Omoyele Sowore is not being allowed out of the airport, hence Nigerians have obstructed the airport. They demand Sowore’s release or no one may enter or exit. Watch the Livestream on Tiktok through this link pic.twitter.com/89peeJC09D
— SUOAZ M.D (@SuoazOfficial) September 15, 2024