Nigerian authorities have released Omoyele Sowore, the convener of the #RevolutionNow movement, after detaining him at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos. Sowore, a prominent activist, was held by the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) upon his arrival from the United States due to a directive issued by the Department of State Services (DSS).
Sowore was placed on a DSS watchlist and his passport was seized during the detention. The authorities detained him pending “an order from above,” while the DSS was alerted. Sowore, who had been with his family in the U.S., was detained immediately after his flight from Washington Dulles International Airport touched down in Lagos.
“I have just been released. My passport and everything have been returned to me,” Sowore said shortly after his release.
Earlier on Sunday, members of the Take It Back Movement and other activists gathered at the airport, anticipating Sowore’s arrival and calling for his immediate release. Sowore’s return to Nigeria comes after a leaked DSS memo revealed plans to arrest him upon arrival due to his involvement in the #EndBadGovernance protests and his leadership in the #RevolutionNow movement.
SaharaReporters had earlier obtained a DSS memo that ordered Sowore’s arrest upon his return. The leaked document, signed by newly appointed DSS Director General Adeola Ajayi, cited Sowore’s role in the recent 10-day #EndBadGovernance protests as justification for his detention. The memo detailed instructions to intercept Sowore at the airport and detain him along with his baggage.
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Reacting to the DSS directive, Sowore condemned the agency, accusing them of focusing on political vendettas rather than addressing the critical insecurity challenges plaguing Nigeria. In a post on his X account (formerly Twitter), Sowore blasted the DSS for its inability to arrest terrorism suspects, bandits, and kidnappers while prioritizing his detention.
“The current administration, led by Tinubu, has demonstrated an upgraded inability to effectively track and apprehend terrorists, bandits, and kidnappers,” Sowore wrote. “Meanwhile, the lawless @OfficialDSSNG has upgraded my status on their ‘watchlist’ for arrest upon arrival in Nigeria.”
Despite the DSS’s attempt to prevent his return, Sowore vowed to continue his activism.
“We have drawn up our next protest, which is in October. They have my name at the airport. I am on their watchlist, but that will not stop me. Nigeria is my country, and I will return whenever I want,” Sowore stated.
Sowore has been a fierce critic of the government, calling for reforms and greater accountability through the #RevolutionNow and #EndBadGovernance movements. His continued activism, despite multiple arrests and threats, has made him a central figure in the fight for democracy and justice in Nigeria.
