The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) briefly detained Omoyele Sowore, leader of the #RevolutionNow Movement, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Sunday, following his return to Nigeria.
His detention coincided with a gathering of members from the Take It Back Movement and other activists who were at the airport to welcome him.
Sowore, who had been in the United States with his family, arrived on a flight from Washington Dulles International Airport, which took off at 6:14 AM EDT and landed in Lagos around 9:43 AM WAT.
In a post on his official X account, Sowore revealed that NIS officials had detained him and confiscated his passport upon his arrival.
He wrote, “Upon arriving from the USA at MMIA in Lagos, my passport was seized by Nigerian Immigration, and I was informed that there were orders to detain me.”
Sowore also accused the government of targeting dissent, stating, “This is not unexpected, as I’ve always known it’s part of the broader clampdown by the fascist @officialAbat regime on opposition voices, especially with the approaching #FearlessINOctober revolt.”
He further urged Nigerians to resist tyranny by participating in planned direct actions starting October 1, warning that his detention could be prolonged.
Shortly after, Sowore announced his release, stating, “I have just been released by Nigerian Immigration after a brief detention, and my passport has been returned to me. #RevolutionNow.”
According to Sowore, no reason was provided for his detention. Officials informed him they were acting on directives from higher authorities and had to contact Abuja for further instructions.
