Operatives from the Department of State Services (DSS) have detained Micheal Lenin, a prominent leader of the #EndBadGovernance protests in Abuja.
Lenin was apprehended at approximately 2 a.m. on Monday at his residence in the Apo area of the Federal Capital Territory.
Damilare Adenola, Director of Mobilisation for the Take It Back Movement, reported that DSS agents raided Lenin’s home and allegedly assaulted him during the arrest.
Adenola stated, “Lenin was taken during a raid on his house around 2 a.m. He was arrested and tortured in the presence of his family. We demand his immediate and unconditional release.”
As of the time of this report, DSS spokesperson Peter Afunanya has not responded to inquiries regarding the incident.
Lenin, the National Coordinator of the Youth Rights Campaign, had recently criticized President Bola Tinubu’s address to the nation.
During a press briefing, Lenin expressed dismay over the President’s remarks, claiming they demonstrated a disconnect from the realities faced by the country.
He remarked, “The President’s broadcast was a disappointing justification of state violence against protesters and journalists, while dismissing the protesters’ demands.”
Lenin had urged citizens to continue the protests, emphasizing the failure of both violent repression and propaganda tactics.
He called on Nigerians to join the protests in large numbers on Monday, asserting that these actions are attempts to stifle dissent and that the propaganda will not deceive the people.
