Sowore Confirms Arrest at Lagos Airport, Passport Seized by Immigration Authorities

Activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has confirmed his arrest at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos upon his return from the United States. In a tweet from his official X (formerly Twitter) account, Sowore revealed that his international passport was confiscated by Nigerian Immigration officers upon arrival, and he was informed that orders had been issued for his detention.

“DETAINED BY THE @NigerianImmigration, my international passport confiscated,” Sowore tweeted. “I had just arrived in Nigeria from the USA to the MMIA in Lagos; upon reaching Nigerian Immigration, my passport was seized, and they told me they had orders to detain me.”

Sowore linked the arrest to what he called a broader clampdown on dissent by the administration of President Bola Tinubu, whom he referred to as a “fascist regime.” He further speculated that the move was part of efforts to silence opposition ahead of the planned #FearlessInOctober protests, which are expected to intensify calls for governmental reform and accountability.

“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,” Sowore added.

Despite his detention, Sowore called on Nigerians to continue fighting against what he described as tyranny, urging citizens to participate in the planned series of direct actions scheduled for October 1st and beyond. His tweet concluded with hashtags #EndBadGovernanceInNigeriaNow and #RevolutionNow, reflecting his continued commitment to his cause.

This development follows a week of tension after a leaked Department of State Services (DSS) memo revealed plans to arrest Sowore upon his arrival in Nigeria due to his role in the recent #EndBadGovernance protests. As of now, Nigerian authorities have not released an official statement regarding his arrest or the reasons for seizing his passport.

Sowore’s supporters, who gathered at the airport earlier, have expressed concern over the potential for a prolonged detention, as the activist has faced multiple arrests and legal battles with the Nigerian government in the past.