The Nigeria Police Force has released Ayoola Babalola, a journalist who was arrested during the #EndBadGovernanceinNigeria protests in Abuja. Babalola, 25, was detained at Wuye Police Station under the Federal Capital Territory Police Command on Saturday and released around 3 pm on Sunday.
"I have been released," Babalola confirmed to SaharaReporters. "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." Civil society organization, Take-It-Back Movement, had demanded Babalola's immediate release in a circular.
In a related incident, the Department of State Services (DSS) arrested Micheal Lenin, one of the leaders of the ongoing protests in the Federal Capital Territory. Lenin was apprehended at his residence in the Apo area around 2 am on Monday.
Damilare Adenola, Director of Mobilisation for Take It Back Movement, reported that the DSS raided Lenin’s house and assaulted him during the arrest. "He was arrested and tortured in the presence of his family. We are demanding his immediate and unconditional release," Adenola stated. The DSS spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, was unavailable for comment at the time of reporting.
