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The Department of State Services (DSS) has denied inviting, arresting or detaining the National Coordinator of Take It Back Movement, Juwon Sanyaolu.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Sanyaolu, one of the coordinators of the June 12 #WeAreHungry protests held in many States on Wednesday, had been declared missing.
The pro-democracy and human rights group had accused the DSS and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) as responsible for the disappearance of Sanyaolu.
“Juwon Sanyaolu, Coordinator of TAKE IT BACK MOVEMENT is NOT with the DSS. He was NOT invited, arrested or detained by the Service,” the DSS disclosed via its official X account.
The DSS and the police had been silent on the arrest of the activist since his ‘abduction’ on Tuesday night in Lagos.
Juwon Sanyaolu, Coordinator of TAKE IT BACK MOVEMENT is NOT with the DSS. He was NOT invited, arrested or detained by the Service.
— Department of State Services (DSS) (@OfficialDSSNG) June 13, 2024
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Recall that a coalition of civil society organisations (CSOs) and the African Action Congress on Tuesday night announced the arrest of Juwon, one of the coordinators of #WeAreHungry nationwide protest, ahead of the demonstration on Wednesday, June 12.
The CSOs and African Action Congress in their statement announcing the arrest said, “Information reaching us as at 10.05 pm is that one of the coordinators of the #WeAreHungry Protests slated for tomorrow 12 June 2024 has been arrested by security agents in Lagos, following series of threats by the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Police Force to clampdown on peaceful democracy day protest.
“Around 10 pm, Comrade Sanyaolu Juwon, the National Coordinator of the TIB sent distress messages to members of the movement saying he has been arrested and taken to an unknown location. Efforts to reach him have been futile.
“We are not surprised at this strategy of intimidation but the news we have for this tyrannical and ruinous Tinubu regime is that the arrest is rather too late. The veil is off and Nigerians can see through the cluelessness of this government.
“We want to state categorically that the tactics of the Nigeria Security apparatus already mobilized by the Presidency, is too late. Nigerian are not deterred as they have resolved to protest against hardship and nothing shall stop them tomorrow.”
TIB on Wednesday demanded his immediate release.
A statement by TIB National PRO/Media, Comrade Olabiyi Ade Stephen, demanded an end to the harassment of peaceful protesters in the country.
He added that the police and DSS must recognise the constitutional right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression.