- Kola Edokpayi Arrested: Activist Kola Edokpayi was arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) over a planned protest in solidarity with Burkina Faso’s leader.
- Denied Access: Edokpayi and others have been denied access to food, water, and visitors since their arrest.
- Uncertain Location: Edokpayi’s location is unknown, with fears he may have been relocated to Abuja to face treason charges.
- Calls for Release: The Take It Back Movement (TIB) has demanded Edokpayi’s immediate and unconditional release, citing constitutional rights to freedom of thought, expression, and association.
Activist Kola Edokpayi has been detained by the Department of State Services (DSS) for the third day over a planned protest in solidarity with Burkina Faso’s leader, Ibrahim Traore. The DSS stormed Edokpayi’s office and arrested him along with others after the Commissioner of Police in Edo State had met with him to discuss the protest.
Edokpayi and others have been denied access to food, water, and visitors since their arrest. His wife was reportedly turned away when she attempted to visit him, and there are fears he may have been relocated to Abuja to face treason charges.
The Take It Back Movement (TIB) has demanded Edokpayi’s immediate and unconditional release, describing the arrest as “legally indefensible and morally reprehensible.” The group argues that Edokpayi’s right to freedom of thought, expression, and association is guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution. TIB accuses Nigerian security agencies of weaponizing the state against dissenting voices.
