The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress in the 2023 election, Omoyele Sowore, has been arrested.
PUNCH Online gathered that Sowore was arrested on Sunday morning at Murtala Muhammad International Airport in Ikeja, Lagos State.
His flight left Washington Dulles International Airport at 6.14 EDT and arrived in Lagos at around 9.43 am.
On Thursday, 12 September 2024, a DSS memo ordering the arrest of Sowore upon his arrival in Nigeria was leaked.
In a post via his official X handle, Sowore disclosed that he had been detained by the Nigerian Immigration Service and his international passport had been confiscated.
He wrote, “I had just arrived in Nigeria from the USA at 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 1 October and beyond.”
Recall that Sowore had criticised the secret police for upgrading his status and name on its “watchlist”.
The activist had shared a copy of the DSS signal where his status was upgraded with our correspondent on Thursday.
Dated August 16, 2024, and signed by Adeola Ali, the signal ordered operatives to arrest Sowore upon his arrival in the country.
It read, “I am directed to inform you that the DSSDG has approved the upgrading of Watchlist B ( Report arrival and destination by telephone immediately ) to Watchlist F (Detain traveller and escort with baggage to National Headquarters. Vide DSE: 9A/6201 against Omoyele Sowore, an activist and founder of Sahara Reporters. This is for your strict compliance.”
Reacting, Sowore vowed to return home very soon despite the directives.
He said, “The current administration, led by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has demonstrated an upgraded inability to effectively track and apprehend terrorism suspects, bandits, and kidnappers, while the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has yet to arrest former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.
“Meanwhile, the DSS 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.
“We cannot stop because we have some misguided elements running our country because they hijacked power, illegitimately. I intend to return home shortly, I mean VERY SOON.”
