Omoyele Sowore, the convener of the #RevolutionNow movement, has been released after being detained by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos. The activist, who arrived in Nigeria from the United States on Sunday, had his passport confiscated upon arrival due to a watchlist issued by the Department of State Services (DSS).
Sowore’s detention was reportedly based on a DSS memo that leaked earlier in the week, ordering his arrest. NIS officials held him at the airport while awaiting further instructions from the DSS. Despite the watchlist, Sowore confirmed that he had been released and that his passport and personal items had been returned to him.
“I have just been released. My passport and everything have been returned to me,” Sowore told SaharaReporters following his release.
The activist, who had been in the United States with his family, arrived in Lagos after departing from Washington Dulles International Airport at 6:14 EDT. His flight touched down in Lagos at approximately 9:43 WAT. Upon hearing news of his detention, members of the Take It Back Movement and other supporters had gathered at the airport to welcome him and demand his release.
Sowore’s detention came after a leaked memo from the DSS, which ordered airport security and immigration authorities to arrest him upon his return to Nigeria. The directive was reportedly issued by newly appointed DSS Director General, Adeola Ajayi, following Sowore’s involvement in the recent #EndBadGovernance protests, which lasted for 10 days.
In response to the DSS memo, Sowore had criticized the agency for targeting him instead of focusing on apprehending terrorism suspects, bandits, and kidnappers. He also pointed out the failure of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to arrest former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, despite numerous allegations of corruption.
“The lawless DSS has upgraded my status and name on their ‘watchlist’ for arrest upon arrival in Nigeria,” Sowore wrote on social media prior to his return. He reiterated his commitment to Nigeria’s liberation and reform, expressing his intention to return to the country to continue his activism.
Sowore’s release, however, comes amid ongoing tensions between him and Nigerian authorities, with many questioning the government’s continued surveillance of political dissenters like him.
