Omoyele Sowore, the convener of the #RevolutionNow Movement, was briefly detained by the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Sunday upon his return to Nigeria. The incident occurred shortly after Sowore’s flight landed, with activists and members of the Take It Back Movement gathered at the airport to welcome him back.
Sowore, who had been in the United States with his family, arrived in Lagos on a flight that departed from Washington Dulles International Airport. His plane touched down at approximately 9:43 AM WAT.
Upon landing, Sowore was stopped by immigration officials, who seized his passport and held him for questioning. When asked about the situation, Sowore told Vanguard that no official reason was provided for his detention. He was informed by immigration officers that they were acting on orders from higher authorities and needed to contact Abuja for further instructions.
Sowore later confirmed his release via his X (formerly Twitter) handle, stating: “I have just been released by the Nigerian Immigration after a brief detention and my passport released back to me. #RevolutionNow.”
This brief detention highlights the ongoing scrutiny faced by Sowore, a prominent activist and former presidential candidate, known for his outspoken criticism of the government and advocacy for political reform in Nigeria.
