The Nigeria Police Force has released journalist Ayoola Babalola, who was detained during the nationwide #EndBadGovernanceinNigeria protests in Abuja. Babalola, 25, was arrested on Saturday and held at Wuye Police Station under the Federal Capital Territory Police Command.
He was released around 3 p.m. on Sunday after being detained for over 24 hours.
“Yes, I have been released. I was released around 3 p.m. Sunday. The detention lasted for over 24 hours, but I’m home now. I am grateful to all who led their voices calling for my release,” Babalola told SaharaReporters.
The Take-It-Back Movement, a civil society organisation, confirmed Babalola’s arrest and demanded his immediate release.
In a separate development, the Department of State Services (DSS) arrested Micheal Lenin, a leader of the #EndBadGovernance protests, early Monday morning. Lenin was taken from his residence in the Apo area of the Federal Capital Territory around 2 a.m.
Damilare Adenola, Director of Mobilisation for the Take-It-Back Movement, claimed that the DSS not only arrested Lenin but also assaulted him during the raid. “Lenin has been arrested by the DSS. He was picked up during a raid on his house around 2 a.m. He was arrested and tortured in the presence of his family. We are demanding his immediate and unconditional release,” Adenola said.
As of the time of reporting, DSS spokesperson Peter Afunanya was unavailable for comment.
