DSS confirms arrest of Sowore, gives “forceful takeover of government” as reason

Department of State Services (DSS) has confirmed the arrest of Omoyele Sowore, the convener of the #RevolutionNow protest. The department also gave reasons for the arrest which took place at his apartment in the early hours of Saturday.

DSS spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, while addressing reporters in Abuja Sunday afternoon, said Sowore was taken into custody after they received information that Sowore had been in touch with foreign actors to destabilize Nigeria

The DSS official assured foreign countries of peace and safety in Nigeria ahead of the planned protest slated for Monday. Afunaya insisted that Sowore crossed the red line after he called for a revolution over alleged bad governance, insecurity, and corruption, among others

Afunaya, who described revolution as insurgency, revolt, insurrection and forceful takeover of government, added that Nigeria is not a Banana Republic and cannot be made one by the likes of Sowore. He emphasized that DSS will not allow self-centered and violence-inclined persons to take law into their own hands.

“Though there is apprehension and anxiety among citizens already, we wish to assure friends of Nigeria, and other law-abiding citizens, that there will be no revolution of any kind come Monday, August 5, 2019. A democratically elected government is in charge, and we cannot allow any person or group to foment chaos or fan the ember of revolution,” he said.