JUST IN: Tensions Rise as DSS Arrests Sowore After Arrival from U.S. for Planned Protests

Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested prominent activist and #RevolutionNow convener, Omoyele Sowore, upon his arrival at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos. Sowore, who had been in the United States with his family, landed in Lagos at 9:43 a.m. WAT, following a flight from Washington Dulles International Airport.

The arrest follows a leaked DSS memo, on Thursday, which revealed plans for his detention due to his involvement in the recent #EndBadGovernance protests. The protests, which spanned 10 days, have led to widespread criticism of the current government under President Bola Tinubu.

Supporters of Sowore, including members of the Take It Back Movement and other activists, had gathered at the airport in anticipation of his arrival, aware of the potential for his arrest after a leaked directive from the DSS circulated last week. The memo, signed by Adeola D. Ali on behalf of newly appointed DSS Director General Adeola Ajayi, called for Sowore to be immediately detained and escorted with his baggage for further questioning.

Sowore himself had earlier acknowledged the directive on his X account (formerly Twitter), where he condemned the Tinubu administration and the DSS for prioritizing political arrests over addressing critical issues such as terrorism, banditry, and insecurity in Nigeria.

“The current administration, led by Tinubu, has demonstrated an upgraded inability to effectively track and apprehend terrorism suspects, bandits, and kidnappers,” Sowore posted. He further accused the DSS of placing him on a watchlist for arrest upon arrival, but reaffirmed his commitment to returning to Nigeria to continue his activism. “Nigeria requires salvation, and our people need liberation,” he added, undeterred by the impending threat of arrest.

Reports from sources at the airport indicate that Sowore’s name had been on a security watchlist since his role in the #EndBadGovernance protests, with his continued activism raising concerns within the government. His involvement in organizing another protest scheduled for October 1 further intensified the DSS’s focus on him.

During a recent interview on The Voice of the People, Sowore expressed confidence in his decision to return to Nigeria despite the risk, criticizing the DSS leadership for focusing on political targets rather than addressing the country’s deepening security crisis. “They called me several times, they have my name at the airport… but that will not stop me. I will go to Nigeria whenever I want; it is my country.”

This arrest marks another chapter in Sowore’s long-standing opposition to the government, further escalating tensions between the activist and Nigerian authorities.

As of now, the DSS has yet to release an official statement on the arrest, and it remains unclear what legal actions will follow.