Sowore Exposes Nigerian Security Agencies’ Attempts To Track Him Down In Hometown, Declares ‘Babylon’ Must Fall In October Protests
Sowore, who is former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2019 and 2023 general elections, made this known via his verified Facebook account on Saturday where he said the Nigerian security agencies were all over his hometown and trying to track him down.
Human rights activist and convener of the #RevolutionNow movement, Omoyele Sowore, has revealed that the Nigerian security forces are attempting to track him down in his himetown in Ondo State and frame him as guilty of bogus offences.
Sowore, who is former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2019 and 2023 general elections, made this known via his verified Facebook account on Saturday where he said the Nigerian security agencies were all over his hometown and trying to track him down.
Sowore said, “Yeah! All around in my home town, they’re tryin’ to track me down, yeah! They say they want to bring me in guilty.”
“However Babylon must fall! #FearlessInOctober,” he added.
However, Babylon must fall! #FearlessINOctober pic.twitter.com/y7pFj9lNPa
— Omoyele Sowore (@YeleSowore) September 14, 2024.
The activist’s remarks reflect concerns over ongoing efforts by the President Bola Tinubu-led Nigerian government to silence dissenting voices.
Sowore on Thursday had accused the Department of State Services (DSS), of issuing a directive for his arrest upon his return to Nigeria.
The activist, who has been a vocal critic of the Nigerian government, had previously faced multiple arrests and detentions, especially following his role in organising protests against the government under the now popular maxim, “RevolutionNow.”
However, Sowore remains resolute in his stance, vowing to continue his activism despite the threats.
Meanwhile, the international community is also keeping a close watch on developments, as Sowore’s case has drawn widespread attention both within and outside Nigeria.
Earlier in September, SaharaReporters reported that the DSS had instructed airport security and immigration authorities to intercept and detain Sowore upon his arrival in Nigeria.
It was learnt that the directive, issued by the newly appointed DSS Director General, Adeola Ajayi, stemmed from Sowore’s role in the recent 10-day #EndBadGovernance protests.
The memo obtained by SaharaReporters on Thursday reads, “DSE: 94/6203 X WATCHLIST ACTION X EYE AM DIRECTED TO INFO Y OURS THAT X THE DGSS HAS APPROVED THE UPGRADING OF WLA.
“’B’ (REPORT ARRIVAL AND DESTINATION BY TELEPHONE IMMEDIATE LY) TO WLA ‘F’ (DETAIN TRAVELER AND ESCORT WITH BAGGAGE TO NHSS) X VIDE DSE: 9A/6201 X AGAINST OMOYELE SOWORE X AN AC TIVIST/FOUNDER OF SAHARA REPORTERS INC. X AN ONLINE NEWS AGENCY X THIS IS FOR YOUR STRICT COMPLIANCE X PLEASE X.”
But Sowore, who mocked the DSS for upgrading his status on its watchlist, knocked the Nigerian government over the failure by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to arrest former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, who has been declared wanted for money laundering for months, and yet not arrested.
In a post on his X account, Sowore had said, “The current administration, led by Tinubu, has demonstrated an upgraded inability to effectively track and apprehend terrorism suspects, bandits, and kidnappers, while the @officialEFCC has yet to arrest former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.
“Meanwhile, the lawless @OfficialDSSNG 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. I intend to return home shortly, I mean very soon,” he said.
According to him, “Nothing Can Stop An Idea Whose Time Has Come!”
