Nigerian activist and founder of the online news agency Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, has been placed under increased surveillance and security measures by the Department of State Services (DSS). The directive, dated August 5, 2024, was sent to all tactical points under the Nigerian Security Establishment Command (NISEC), with strict orders for compliance.
The directive, signed by Adeola D. AL on behalf of NISEC NHSS, confirms that the Director-General of the DSS (DGSS) has approved an upgrade of Omoyele Sowore’s watchlist action from “WLA B” to “WLA F.” The new status mandates that any tactical units encountering Sowore must “detain the traveler and escort with baggage to NHSS.” This is a significant escalation from the previous instruction, which only required reporting his arrival and destination by telephone immediately.
The upgraded watchlist action against Sowore indicates heightened government scrutiny and increased measures to restrict his movement. The directive explicitly states that this is for “strict compliance,” emphasizing the importance placed on this surveillance action. The reason for the upgrade remains unspecified, but it aligns with the government’s ongoing focus on monitoring and curtailing the activities of individuals it deems a threat to national security or public order.
Omoyele Sowore is a well-known Nigerian activist, journalist, and founder of Sahara Reporters, an online news platform renowned for its critical coverage of government corruption and human rights abuses in Nigeria. Sowore has faced several arrests, detentions, and legal battles in the past, primarily linked to his activism and outspoken criticism of the Nigerian government. He has consistently called for transparency, accountability, and democratic reforms in the country.
The action against Sowore will likely be viewed as another attempt by the Nigerian government to stifle dissent and restrict press freedom. Legal experts and activists are likely to scrutinize the legality and implications of such orders in the context of Nigeria’s democratic and legal framework.
This development signals the continuing tensions between the Nigerian government and those who challenge its policies and actions. The upgraded directive against Sowore is set to be closely monitored by both domestic and international observers for any potential breaches of human rights and freedom of expression.
