SOKOTO, Nigeria — Operatives of the Nigerian secret police, known as the Department of State Services (DSS), have apprehended Aliyu Sanusi, an #EndBadGovernance activist, in Sokoto State on charges of printing and distributing materials related to the upcoming economic hardship protests.
The arrest, which took place on Monday, July 22, 2024, evening, was disclosed by activist and publisher Omoyele Sowore via his social media handle.
Sowore, known for leading the #RevolutionNow movement, has called for Sanusi’s immediate release, criticizing the DSS for their actions.
“The lawless @OfficialDSSNG has arrested Aliyu Sanusi for printing and distributing #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria materials in Sokoto state. He was arrested yesterday evening from the Sama Road Area in Sokoto. The DSS is directed to release Aliyu Sanusi immediately,” Sowore stated in his post.
Sanusi’s detention follows the recent release of Bashir Abubakar, another young Nigerian who was held in Kano for promoting a planned nationwide protest against economic hardship.
According to Harun Magashi, Abubakar’s lawyer and Sowore’s former running mate in the 2023 elections, the DSS instructed Abubakar to return the protest T-shirts he had printed before releasing him on Monday.
The DSS’s actions have sparked criticism from various quarters, with numerous calls for the immediate release of individuals detained for exercising their right to protest.
Critics argue that the arrests violate citizens’ fundamental rights to express dissent and demand accountability from the government.
The situation remains tense as activists and civil society organizations continue to monitor the developments closely, advocating for the protection of free speech and assembly in Nigeria.
