The publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, has broken silence on his arrest by the Department of State Services, DSS, over the Revolution Now protests.
Sowore expressed gratitude to Nigerians and the international community for their support, urging them to pour out to the streets in protest against bad governance in the country.
Sowore speaking for the first time after his arrest on Saturday said this during the visit of the “Take It Back Movement” to the DSS facility where he is being held, The Nation reports.
Sowore said “I would like to assure everyone that I am being treated well and in very good health.
“I am pleased that the peaceful #RevolutionNow protests went ahead.
“However, knowledge of the sheer number of innocent Nigerians being arrested for exercising their civil rights bothers me.”
“I join others in demanding the immediate and unconditional release of all those arrested by the police on Monday.”
DSS arrested Sowore over the weekend after he called for a nationwide staging of protests against what he described as bad governance.
His arrest has since stirred reactions from well-meaning Nigerians. The protest he tagged “Revolution Now”, was planned to take place on Monday, August 5.
Following Sowore’s arrest, the Nigerian Police Force had described the planned protests by Sowore and some individuals as ‘treasonable felony and acts of terrorism.’
It vowed to resist any act that could lead to a breach of law and order in the country.
Rachel Onamusi-Kpiasi, Director, Media and Communication of the movement, confirmed that Sowore was in high spirits.
In a statement released on Monday evening, she wrote “At 6 pm today, 5th August 2019, members of the Take it Back Movement were allowed to visit with our convener, Omoyele Sowore, for the first time since his armed abduction in the early hours last Saturday, August 3.
“We met him in high spirits, unmoved by the events of the last few days.
The officers allowed us to present him with food as Sowore had refused all meals since his capture.
“We are also happy to confirm that Take it Back members will be allowed to bring him food daily as per his wishes.
“The freedom fighter was quick to ask about the movement and supporters as he is aware that there will be a lot of worry about his wellbeing.
Indeed, the silver lining in today’s unrest lies in the knowledge that truly, you cannot stop an idea whose time has come.
“The Take it Back Movement will continue to agitate for his release as well as that of comrades whose voices this oppressive regime has tried to silence.
“This visit was a small win, but we will not rest until we are free and free indeed.”
