The Department of State Service (DSS) on Sunday washed its hands off the arrest of the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress in the 2023 election, Omoyele Sowore.
Sowore was arrested on Sunday morning at Murtala Muhammad International Airport in Ikeja, Lagos State by Nigerian Immigration officials but later released.
A source at the DSS said the agency had nothing to do with the arrest as being speculated by some media platforms.
He said though the politician was once on the watch list of DSS , his name had since been removed and therefore there was no reason to arrest him.
The source said: “We have nothing to do with Sowore’s arrest . He used to be on our watch list , at the moment he is not on our watch list .
“ I don’t know why some media platforms would be so reckless in their reporting. I expected them to do little investigation and know which agency that carried out the arrest.“
Sowore had written after his arrest :“I have just arrived in Nigeria from the USA at MMIA in Lagos; upon reaching Nigerian Immigration, my passport was seized, and they told me they had orders to detain me.
“This is not unexpected because I have always known that it is part of the broader clampdown.” Meanwhile, Sowore was said to have been released minutes after his arrest.
In a post via his official X handle, Sowore revealed that he had been released by the Nigerian Immigration Service and his passport had also been released .
“I have just been released by the Nigerian Immigration after a brief detention and my passport released back to me,” he wrote .
Meanwhile, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) on Sunday, ordered an immediate investigation into viral video footage alleging unjust incarceration of a Naval rating, Abbas Haruna, for six years without trial. The DHQ also noted that the new order was in response to the allegation.
A statement by the Acting Director, Defence Information, Brig. Gen. Tukur Gusau, said the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, who ordered the investigation, Sunday night, also promised that the outcome of the investigation will be made public in due course.
“DHQ has taken notice of a circulating video clip alleging the unjust incarceration of a Naval rating, Seaman Abbas Haruna, for six years. The DHQ, assured the public that the Armed Forces of Nigeria remains committed to upholding justice, fairness, and the rule of law,” Gusau said.
He stated that the military court-martial process, though meticulous, ensures fairness, equal opportunity, and justice in accordance with established military procedures and the law.
The DHQ urged the public to exercise caution and refrain from spreading unsubstantiated information while the investigation is ongoing, assuring Nigerians that the Armed Forces will ensure a speedy and transparent investigation.
Linus Aleke
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