Sowore Lists 12 Nigerians Allegedly Detained by DSS Since 2021 Without Trial for Attending MNK Trial

Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore has published the names of 12 Nigerians he says have been held by the Department of State Services (DSS) without charge or trial since 2021.

In a statement shared on Sunday via his X account, Sowore said the individuals were arrested while travelling to Abuja to attend a court hearing for Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). He alleged that they were intercepted by DSS operatives in Lokoja, Kogi State, and have remained in custody at the Wawa Barracks detention facility for more than four years.

According to Sowore, most of the detainees are from Ebonyi State. He described their continued detention as unlawful and a violation of their fundamental rights.

“Their only offence was travelling to Abuja to attend a court appearance in the case of Nnamdi Kanu,” Sowore wrote.

He identified the detainees as Wisdom Ezike, Kenneth Ojima, Chinedu Nwoba, Igwe Sampson, David Ogbonnaya, Aja Joseph, Barrister Awoke, Chinoso Oyibe, Eze Joseph, Okezie Fortune, and two drivers, one of whom he named as Ikechukwu.

Sowore called for their immediate release and urged the Federal Government to compensate them for the years spent in detention. He also asked that officials responsible for the alleged detention be identified and held accountable.

In addition, he called for the closure of the Wawa Barracks facility, describing it as a detention site that should no longer be in operation.

The DSS has not publicly responded to the claims at the time of this report.