Activist Omoyele Sowore Detained at Lagos Airport, Asked About Watchlist Waiver
Nigerian activist Omoyele Sowore was briefly detained at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos on Sunday morning. According to Sowore, immigration officers inquired about his presence on the country’s watchlist and asked if he had obtained a waiver.
Sowore, who was returning from the US, shared his experience during an interview on Arise TV. He revealed that the officers asked if he had a waiver for the watchlist, prompting him to question the purpose and implications of such a document.
The activist was detained for about 10 minutes before being released. However, one of his bags went missing during the ordeal. Sowore reported the incident to the airline and is still searching for the missing bag.
Sowore had earlier declared that he would not flee Nigeria despite being on the watchlist of the Department of State Services (DSS). He criticized President Bola Tinubu for targeting protesters and urged Nigerians to continue fighting for liberation from bad leadership.
The incident raises questions about the transparency and accountability of Nigeria’s watchlist system. Sowore’s experience highlights concerns about the treatment of activists and citizens who speak out against the government.
