Abuja Protest Leader Arrested by DSS

August 5, 2024.

Operatives from the Department of State Services (DSS) have arrested a prominent leader at the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protest, Micheal Lenin, in the Federal Capital Territory.

According to sources, Lenin was arrested at his Apo residence in the FCT around 2am on Monday.

The Director of Mobilisation for the Take It Back Movement, Damilare Adenola, reveals that the DSS raided Lenin’s home and allegedly assaulted him during the arrest.

Adenola condemned the DSS’s actions, emphasizing the importance of peaceful protests and the need for authorities to respect citizens’ rights to freedom of assembly and expression.

Adenola said, “ Lenin has been arrested by the DSS. He was picked up during a raid on his house around 2am.

“He was arrested and tortured in the presence of his family. We are demanding his immediate and unconditional release.

“We wish to express our sadness and deep disappointment at the latest broadcast by President Tinubu which is his first address to the nation on the #EndBadGovernance protests, after over three weeks since Nigerians started mobilising to take to the streets and after scores of dead protesters and assaulted journalists from the first three days of the protests.

“ Many had requested that the President should just address the nation when the protest was being mobilised and when it started to escalate, but most of us did not know that the President would only justify state violence on protesters and journalists while dismissing the demands of the protesters whenever he decides to speak.

“This, plus the failed attempt to co-opt the progressive and radical language of the protests only shows how much President Tinubu is out of touch with the masses” He stated