The Take It Back (TIB) Movement has urgently called for the immediate and unconditional release of Eleojo Opaluwa, Michael Adaramoye, also known as Michael Lenin, and Mosiu Abolaji. The group alleges that these individuals were unlawfully detained by the Department of State Services (DSS) and later handed over to the police in Abuja.
In a statement issued on Monday, TIB criticized the detention of these activists, who were reportedly apprehended due to their involvement in the recent nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests. These demonstrations, which lasted for ten days, addressed widespread issues of hunger, economic hardship, and poor governance in Nigeria.
The TIB claims that Opaluwa, Lenin, and Abolaji were seized in Abuja by DSS operatives. According to the group, the activists were blindfolded and then transferred to the Inspector General of Police’s Intelligence Response Team (IRT). TIB condemned these actions as a violation of human rights and called for the immediate release of all peaceful protesters who are currently detained.
The statement from TIB read, “Across the nation, protesters remain detained after joining the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria demonstrations. They were abducted and blindfolded by the lawless DSS, then handed over to the police IRT in Abuja. We demand that all peaceful protesters be immediately released without conditions.”
SaharaReporters, a well-known news outlet, reported that Lenin, a prominent activist and leader in the #EndBadGovernance protests, was arrested by the DSS at around 2 a.m. last Monday at his home in the Apo area of Abuja. The DSS, however, denied any involvement in Lenin’s arrest. In a statement posted on its official X (formerly Twitter) account, the DSS said, “The DSS can confirm that Adaramoye Michael (aka Michael Lenin) is not in its custody.” The statement also acknowledged that the DSS had conducted arrests related to the protests but did not specify the details.
The TIB’s demand highlights growing concerns about the treatment of activists and protesters in Nigeria. The #EndBadGovernance protests have drawn significant attention due to their focus on corruption, economic mismanagement, and social inequality. The TIB’s call for the release of the detainees reflects broader worries about the suppression of democratic freedoms and human rights in the country.
The recent protests have seen widespread participation from various segments of Nigerian society, each calling for an end to what they perceive as systemic failures within the government. The actions taken against the protesters, including the reported detentions and the alleged use of force by security agencies, have drawn criticism from human rights advocates and international observers.
The Take It Back Movement’s statement underscores the group’s stance on the importance of safeguarding democratic rights and ensuring that dissent is not met with undue violence or repression. The TIB is advocating for a fair and transparent handling of all cases involving protesters, emphasizing the need for respect for fundamental freedoms and human rights.
As the situation unfolds, the TIB and other human rights organizations are expected to continue their advocacy efforts, pressing for the release of those detained and for an end to the intimidation of activists. The international community will likely be watching closely to see how Nigerian authorities respond to these demands and whether there will be any changes in the approach to handling protests and dissent.
