Sowore: Take It Back Movement threatens mass action

By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja

The ‘Take It Back Movement’ has threatened to initiate immediate, nationwide mass action if the police failed to release of maltreat its convener, Omoyele Sowore who was arrested in Abuja on Thursday

The Movement made the threat in a statement by Sanyaolu Juwon its National Coordinator following the arrest of Sowore by operatives of the Federal Capital Territory Police Command on Thursday.

Benjamin Hundeyin, spokesperson for the Nigeria Police Force, in a statement said Sowore was arrested because he led the protests to free detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, last Monday.

He said the activist who is also the publisher of Sahara Reporters will be arraigned in court within 24 hours just like the others previously arrested over the protest.

But the Take It Back movement in its statement vowed to mobilize citizens for sustained protests and civil disobedience actions across Nigeria if Sowore is not released immediately and unconditionally.

The group which said it holds the FCT Commissioner of Police, the Inspector General of Police, and the Tinubu government fully responsible for the safety and well-being of the activist said the mass action will continue until he regains his freedom.

The Movement in the statement said, “We have received credible information that the Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has invited our comrade and convener, Omoyele Sowore, reportedly in connection with the ongoing #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest and other legitimate acts of political expression. Sowore has since honored the invitation but is yet to return.

“We wish to categorically warn that any form of detention, harassment, or intimidation of Sowore by the Nigeria Police Force or any arm of the Tinubu regime will be met with an immediate, nationwide mass action.

“Sowore is not a criminal; he is a renowned human rights activist and a voice of conscience for millions of oppressed Nigerians who continue to suffer under a corrupt and tyrannical system.

“The Tinubu-led regime must understand that this is not 1984, and Nigerians will not sit idly while their rights to dissent and protest are trampled upon.

“The right to peaceful protest is constitutionally guaranteed, and no regime, no matter how desperate, can take it away.

“Let it be clearly known: if Sowore is not released immediately and unconditionally, the Take It Back Movement, alongside progressive organizations across the country, will mobilize citizens for sustained protests and civil disobedience actions until he regains his freedom.

“We hold the Commissioner of Police, the Inspector General of Police, and the Tinubu regime fully responsible for the safety and well-being of Omoyele Sowore.”