Truckloads of security operatives on Wednesday blocked activists demanding the release of the former presidential candidate of African Action Congress in the last general elections and convener of #RevolutionNow protests, Omowole Sowore.
The security personnel comprising soldiers, policemen as well as operatives of the Department of State Services, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps and Nigerian Prison Service, stormed the Unity Fountain, Abuja, venue of the protest but the activists defied them and carried on with their demand.
Sowore was arrested by the DSS on August 3 for mobilizing Nigerians to protest against the deteriorating security and economic condition in the country.
Led by Deji Adeyanju, convener, Concerned Nigerians, the campaigners dared the government to imprison all its critics, insisting that they cannot be cowed by the security agencies.
Adeyanju said President Muhammadu Buhari “pretended that he was a repentant democrat just because he wanted to steal the confidence and votes of Nigerians.”
He described Sowore, Dadi Yata, Jones Abiri, Steven Kefas and other social and media critics in custody as prisoners of conscience, who he said represented “the uncountable numbers of Nigerians who are victims of maladministration of Buhari’s government in Nigeria.”
“The deployment of all the security agents in the North East to Abuja will not stop us from demanding Sowore’s release from custody,” the campaigner further stated.
Another activist, Rapheal Adebayo said that Nigerians were ready to rise against what he called the dictatorial tendencies of the government.
“Even if Buhari should arrest more Sowores, one million more will arise to fight his dictatorial policies meant to muzzle the people,” he stressed.
Adebayo stated that the protest was not just for the freedom of Sowore and other ” prisoners of conscience ” but for the soul of Nigeria.
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