Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have apprehended Michael Lenin, a leader in the ongoing #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests. Lenin was taken into custody at his residence in the Apo area of the Federal Capital Territory around 2 am.
Damilare Adenola, Director of Mobilisation for the Take It Back Movement, detailed the arrest to our correspondent, describing a forceful entry by the DSS. “Lenin has been arrested by the DSS. He was picked up during a raid on his house around 2 am. He was arrested and tortured in the presence of his family. We are demanding his immediate and unconditional release,” Adenola stated.
Efforts to reach DSS spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, for comments have so far been unsuccessful. Messages sent to him remain unanswered.
Lenin, serving as the National Coordinator for the Youth Rights Campaign, recently criticized President Bola Tinubu’s response to the protests during a press briefing. “We wish to express our sadness and deep disappointment at the latest broadcast by President Tinubu,” Lenin said. He accused the President of being disconnected from the struggles faced by Nigerians and criticized the President’s justification of state violence against protesters and journalists.
Lenin emphasized that despite the government’s attempts to suppress the movement through violence and propaganda, the protests would continue. “We, therefore, call on Nigerians to come out in large numbers to continue these protests on Monday until our demands are met. The two-pronged approach of violence and propaganda has failed. The violence and repressions are just attempts to silence and control us, and the propaganda cannot sway or fool us.”
