At around 11am on Sunday, September 15, 2024, ex-presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore was reportedly detained at the Lagos airport by men of the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS.
Follow the timeline below for other details, and how he got released from detention.
BEWARE: This is a developing story, and is being updated as events unfold. Keep refreshing this page for the latest developments.
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Loyalists appraise Sowore over courage to return to Nigeria
Reactions have trailed the news of his detention and subsequent release, with a section of young Nigerians appraising his courage to return to the country despite all adversity.
Sowore’s loyalists across social media are expressing their solidarity towards his decision to enter into the country despite knowing the likely challenge he could encounter.
A loyalist, Ade’. Ademola, addressed the situation from a point of view on ethnic diversity, challenging Simon Ekpa to make similar move.
“Dear Ndigbo, Sowore returned to Nigeria bravely irrespective of what was waiting for him. He is facing his beliefs and convictions.
He is not a deluded coward like @simon_ekpa that is commanding you to destroy your lands and kill yourselves from Finland,” he wrote.
‘Ochuko Famili’ said: “Solidarity forever my leader, we shall always fight for our rights ✊✊✊”
NonnyWhatever said: “@YeleSowore We might not agree on so many things. But your Level of courage of coming back to Nigeria even when the Odds shows you are going to be detained and Your passport Seized has put you into another set of level and Respect I have for you. You are truly a Man for what you stands for and Not a Coward. 🧢”
Queen Bee said: “Your level of courage is what is needed for Nigeria to be set free.”
Ben Samuel said: “He stayed to challenge the Abacha regime while many of those in power today fled the country. This man had no obligation to return to Nigeria today.
“Sowore’s bravery deserves to be studied at Harvard and Oxford.
“The late Gani Fawehinmi and Falana would be proud of you, man.”
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11:38am: Sowore Released After Brief Detention
Techparley correspondent can confirm that Omoyele Sowore has been released by the Nigeria Immigration Service.
The media personality in a follow up statement shared through his Facebook page noted that he was released after a brief detention.
“I have just been released by the Nigerian Immigration after a brief detention and my passport released back to me. #RevolutionNow,” the post announcing his release reads.
This development comes after Sowore was detained upon his arrival at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos on Sunday, sparking widespread outrage and calls for his release.
Details of his release are still emerging, but his new post suggests that he is now free.
The #RevolutionNow movement, which Sowore convenes, has vowed to continue its protests against bad governance in Nigeria.
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11:05am: FG confiscates passport of ex-presidential candidate Sowore
The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) on Sunday reportedly confiscated the international passport of the founder of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore.
Sowore, who took to his Facebook page, revealed that his international passport has been seized by NIS officials upon his arrival to Nigeria from the US.
The seizure, according to Sowore, was part of the broader clampdown by the President, who he described as a fascist, ahead of the upcoming protest in October tagged: FearlessINOctober.
“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,” he alerted followers and friends on Facebook.
He added: “It is part of the broader clampdown by the fascist @officialAbat regime on dissent and their fear of the upcoming #FearlessINOctober.
“In case this becomes a prolonged and protracted detention, I urge our citizens to ensure ALL stop tyranny means portable and necessary, engaging in the planned series of direct actions slated for October 1st and beyond,” he ordered.
Sowore had earlier hinted of his involvement in organising a protest aimed to demand urgent reforms including a reversal of soaring petrol prices, electricity tariffs, and food inflation.
As at the time of filing this report, the Immigration Service is yet to issue a statement on the alleged detention, and seizure of his passport as claimed.
Who is Omoyele Sowore?
The 53 year old is a 2-time former presidential candidate, who has frequently been at the center of government crackdowns due to his outspoken criticism and philosophical expression against the Nigerian government.
His online media platform, Sahara Reporters, is known for its anti-government investigative journalism and exposure of corruption in Nigeria.
His activism intensified after launching the #RevolutionNow movement, which has called for mass protests against poor governance, corruption, and economic challenges in Nigeria.
This movement led to his first major arrest in August 2019, when he was detained by the Department of State Services (DSS) ahead of planned nationwide protests.
He was also charged with treason, cyberstalking, and money laundering, but his arrest triggered widespread outrage from human rights groups and the international community, who saw it as an attempt to deprive him of his fundamental human rights due to his opposition towards the government.
