Human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has called for the immediate release of a social media influencer known as Sarki, also identified by the handle @Waspapping_, who was reportedly detained by the Department of State Services (DSS).
Sowore made the demand in a post shared on X on Tuesday, where he accused the security agency of unlawfully detaining the influencer.
“I have learned that the lawless Department of State Services (DSS) has arbitrarily and unlawfully detained a social media influencer known as Sarki @Waspapping_,” Sowore wrote.
According to him, the influencer was reportedly arrested over comments he made about the Israel-Iran war, particularly criticisms directed at the State of Israel.
“He was reportedly arrested over comments he made about the Israel-Iran war, particularly criticisms directed at the State of Israel over its egregious warmongering and crimes against humanity in Gaza and elsewhere,” Sowore said.
The activist argued that no Nigerian should be arrested for expressing opinions about the actions of foreign governments or commenting on international conflicts.
“No Nigerian citizen should be arrested or detained simply for expressing opinions about the actions of foreign governments or commenting on ongoing international conflicts,” he said.
Sowore added that the right to freedom of expression should apply to discussions about global events and wars involving foreign countries.
“Freedom of expression must apply equally to discussions about global affairs and acts of war involving foreign interests,” he stated.
He therefore called on the DSS to immediately release the influencer and end what he described as unlawful detention.
“The DSS must therefore immediately release Sarki @Waspapping_ and end this unlawful detention,” Sowore said.
He further argued that such actions contradict democratic principles.
“Nigeria cannot claim to be a democracy while citizens are arrested for expressing views on international events,” he added.
Sowore demands DSS release of influencer Sarki over Israel-Iran comments
