Outrage as DSS arrests Omoyele Sowore at Lagos Airport

The arrest of Omoyele Sowore, a prominent Nigerian activist and journalist, by the Department of State Services (DSS) at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos has raised concerns about the state of freedom of speech and assembly in Nigeria.

Sowore, who is the convener of the #RevolutionNow movement, had just returned from the United States, where he was with his family.

His arrest was not unexpected, as a leaked DSS memo had revealed plans to detain him upon his return to Nigeria.

The DSS memo cited Sowore’s involvement in the #EndBadGovernance protests and his plans for an October 1 demonstration as justification for his detention.

Sowore had announced plans for the protest, which aims to call attention to Nigeria’s economic and political challenges, and had vowed to proceed despite potential detention.

Sowore’s arrest has sparked outrage among human rights activists and Nigerians who see it as an attempt to silence dissenting voices.

Many have taken to social media to condemn the arrest and call for Sowore’s release.

The arrest has also raised questions about the new DSS Director General’s priorities, with some accusing him of prioritizing political vendettas over addressing Nigeria’s insecurity challenges.

This is not the first time Sowore has been arrested. In 2019, he was arrested and detained for several months for leading a protest against the Nigerian government.

The situation is developing, and Diaspora Digital Media promises to bring further updates as they unfold.

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