Nigeria’s secret police arrest Aliyu Sanusi in Sokoto for planning protest

Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) detained Aliyu Sanusi in Sokoto State on Monday evening for allegedly printing and disseminating materials related to upcoming protests.

Sanusi’s arrest occurred in the Sama Road area of Sokoto, the state capital.

Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore, who is also the Convener of the #RevolutionNow movement, revealed details of Sanusi’s arrest on his X platform (formerly Twitter). Sowore, who contested as a presidential candidate for the African Action Congress (AAC) in both the 2019 and 2023 general elections, strongly advocated for Sanusi’s immediate release.

In his post, Sowore condemned the DSS for what he characterized as “lawless” conduct and demanded the prompt release of Sanusi. The arrest has drawn criticism regarding freedom of expression and assembly rights in Nigeria.

In his post, Sowore criticized the DSS for what he described as “lawless” behavior, calling for the immediate release of Sanusi.

“The lawless @OfficialDSSNG has arrested Aliyu Sanusi for printing and distributing #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria material in Sokoto state.

“He was arrested yesterday evening from the Sama Road Area in Sokoto. The DSS is directed to release Aliyu Sanusi immediately,” Sowore stated.

This arrest comes shortly after the DSS released another Nigerian youth, Bashir Abubakar, who was detained in Kano for supporting the planned nationwide protest against economic hardship.

Abubakar was released on Monday, but the DSS reportedly instructed him to return the T-shirts he had printed to promote the protest, according to Barrister Harun Magashi, Abubakar’s lawyer and former running mate to Sowore in the 2023 elections.