The Publisher of SaharaReporters, Omoyele Sowore, was briefly detained and his passport seized by the Nigeria Immigration Service on his arrival in Nigeria from the United States of America.
The drama happened at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in the early hours of Sunday after a flight from the US.
Sowore, who confirmed his detention and release by the NIS, via his X handle said: “DETAINED BY THE @NigerianImmigration, my International passport confiscated.
“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.
“This is not un expected 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.
“In case this becomes another prolonged and protracted detention, I urge our citizens to ensure they ALL stop tyranny by all means acceptable and necessary, by engaging in the planned series of direct actions slated for October 1st and beyond.
“#EndBadGovernaceInNigerianow #RevolutionNow.”
A few minutes later, Sowore confirmed his release.
He wrote: “I have just been released by the Nigerian Immigration after a brief detention and my passport released back to me.
“#RevolutionNow.”
Meanwhile, activists, especially those of the Take It Back Movement, had stormed the airport in the early hours of Sunday in anticipation of Sowore’s arrest.
SaharaReporters had earlier reported that it had confirmed the proposed arrest of Sowore by the Department of State Services on arrival in Nigeria.
Reacting to the story, which was published on Thursday, the activist said: “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.”
