Omoyele Sowore, a prominent Nigerian activist and the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2019 and 2023 elections, has been released from custody by the Nigerian Immigration Service. His international passport, which had been previously confiscated, was also returned to him.
Sowore, known for his fierce criticism of successive Nigerian governments, was arrested on Sunday morning immediately upon his arrival in the country from Washington Dulles International Airport. He touched down at around 9:43 AM West Africa Time (WAT), only to be swiftly detained by immigration officials.
The activist, a staunch advocate for democratic reforms and social justice, had earlier disclosed that his passport had been seized, fueling speculation that his return might lead to legal confrontations with the authorities. Reports leading up to his arrival indicated that the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria’s main domestic intelligence agency, had issued directives to airport security and immigration officials to intercept and detain Sowore upon his re-entry.
Sowore has faced frequent confrontations with Nigerian security agencies over the years. In 2019, he was detained for several months by the DSS following his calls for nationwide protests against the government under the “RevolutionNow” movement, which sought to challenge corruption and economic inequality in Nigeria. His arrest sparked widespread condemnation from human rights groups, both locally and internationally, who accused the Nigerian government of cracking down on free speech and dissent.
While the circumstances surrounding his latest detention remain unclear, Sowore’s brief arrest is expected to reignite conversations about the shrinking space for political opposition and activism in Nigeria. Many are now closely watching how this latest episode will unfold, given his history of vocal dissent and the government’s history of responding with heavy-handed tactics.
