#FreeSowore: Nigerians call out President Buhari over Omoyele Sowore’s arrest by DSS
The hashtag #FreeSowore is the number trending topic on Nigerian Twitter at the moment and it comes after the arrest of human rights activist and pro-democracy campaigner, Omoyele Sowore by operatives of the Department of State Services.
The DSS invaded Sowore’s apartment in the early hours of Saturday, August 3rd 2019 with four trucks, seizing his phones and other electronic gadgets. His whereabouts is currently unknown. Sowore’s #RevolutionNow campaign has gained national and international attention in the last couple of days following a planned nationwide protest scheduled for Monday, August 5th.
Using Freesowore hashtag on Twitter, many Nigerians slammed President Buhari for trying to use the DSS to silence Sowore.
See all the reactions below:
Nothing could be more daft! Of all the actions to take against a constitutionally and legally backed protest, the last should be an arrest of the convener. #FreeSowore
— JJ. Omojuwa (@Omojuwa) August 3, 2019
If news report of DSS picking up @YeleSowore is confirmed then those behind his arrest sure did not learn from the past, he just had you were he wants you to be. Now we won't know if #RevolutionNow would have really taken over Nigerian government on Monday. It's now #FreeSowore
— Káyọ̀dé Ògúndámisí 🇳🇬 (@ogundamisi) August 3, 2019
https://twitter.com/akinolarj/status/1157526471398887426
https://twitter.com/sheyirealtor/status/1157528036209823746
Just Confirmed that one of the leaders of the #RevolutionNow movement Comrade Omoyele Sowore @YeleSowore has been arrested by armed men of the DSS overnight. Those who make peaceful negotiations impossible makes violent revolution inevitable. It has started.#FreeSowore pic.twitter.com/tN9TAMmDWE
— Towolawi Jamiu #EndSarsNow (@jharmo) August 3, 2019
Buhari administration should know they are facing young people with higher intellect than their's and the use of force will not work. #FreeSowore
— Temmy (@Temmyhub) August 3, 2019
This cannot happen in Nigeria, Buhari is a military man, he will rather kill half of Nigerians to remain the president or prefer you people breaking @AsoRock doors to before he can resign,Moreover Oshiomole and APC won't allow it 😭#RevolutionNow #FreeSowore #FreeDadiyata https://t.co/jO5wLcRFrA
— Walker (@Iamthemetim) August 3, 2019
https://twitter.com/johnteey/status/1157532105666105344
If calling for a revolution is treasonable, at least 70% of Nigerians should be in jail. They have called for it at one point or the other, including those in government now when they were out of government! #FreeSowore ! https://t.co/zbIC2uUcba
— JJ. Omojuwa (@Omojuwa) August 3, 2019
I also add my voice unequivocally to those demanding for @YeleSowore’s release. Free speech and assembly are enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. #FreeSowore
— Dr Dípò Awójídé (@OgbeniDipo) August 3, 2019
https://twitter.com/BhadmusAkeem/status/1157525607300915200
If my account gets suspended, it gets suspended. I am done being silent while the government keeps suppressing and arresting individuals that dares to speak against their misdeeds. #FreeSowore #RevolutionNow pic.twitter.com/KQ3rm7PI3J
— 𝕏nailMan (@laurentdarl) August 3, 2019
https://twitter.com/ifamobarin/status/1157509048218128386
The DSS in a commando operation invaded Sowore's house early this morning, manhandled and whisked him away to an unknown location.
He is a courageous man.
Is the planned revolution dead?#FreeSowore
— Mo-Mo (@Morris_Monye) August 3, 2019
There was MANDELA, there was SANKARA, there was KING JAJA, there was ADAKA BORO, there was FELA and there is @YeleSowore today.
Activism doesn't end when an activist dies or is captured by the DSS, it only fuels more activists. #FreeSowore #RevolutionNow ✌🏾️ pic.twitter.com/cy9EdqJThm— Chidozie Kenneth Nwaigwe (@ChidozieNwaigwe) August 3, 2019