Nigerians woke up on Saturday to the news of the arrest of the convener of #RevolutionNow protests Omoyele Sowore by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).

The African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate in the February 2019 election was reportedly picked up at his home in Lagos in the early hours of Saturday.

At 1:25 am, Sowore had posted a tweet which seems to be confirming his arrest tweeted.

He tweeted:

DSS invades Sowore’s

— Omoyele Sowore (@YeleSowore) August 3, 2019

His arrest may not be unconnected with the planned #RevolutionNow protest scheduled to hold across the country on Monday 5th August.

Sowore and his party AAC had declared August 5 as the commencement date of the revolution protests tagged ‘Days of Rage’ across the country to demand for a better Nigeria.

He had said that the protest would be sustained until the country is put on the right path of honour where justice will prevail.

Sowore stated that the action of the government compelled them to take the decision noting that there was no level playing field in the last elections.

READ ALSO: #RevolutionNow: DSS arrest convener Sowore

His reported arrest, however, sparked social media outrage on Saturday morning as many Nigerians have taken to micro-blogging site Twitter to slam the government, the DSS.

Tweeting with the hashtag #FreeSowore which is presently trending at number one spot on Twitter Nigeria, Nigerians condemned Sowore’s arrest and demanded his immediate release.

 

See some of the reactions:

 

The right to protest is a fundamental human right the world over, President @MBuhari should #FreeSowore without delay! https://t.co/UcJSN0mItd

— JJ. Omojuwa (@Omojuwa) August 3, 2019

 

If news report of DSS picking up @YeleSowore is confirmed then those behind his arrest sure did not learn from the past, he just had you were he wants you to be. Now we won’t know if #RevolutionNow would have really taken over Nigerian government on Monday. It’s now #FreeSowore

— Kayode Ogundamisi (@ogundamisi) August 3, 2019

Omoyele Sowore’s residence in Ikeja evaded around 1:25am, 3rd of August, Sowore arrested by DSS, phone seized.

Yesterday, 2nd of August, Abubakar Dadiyata was abducted by the DSS in Kaduna.

Who is next? Could be me or you. Speak out NOW!!! #FreeSowore #FreeDadiyata pic.twitter.com/JRV27Lnpo4

— B h a d o o s k y (@BhadmusAkeem) August 3, 2019

Dare to lead a protest against this government and the executive bulldogs (DSS) will come for you. It happened to 2face Idibia, now it’s Sowore. This is unacceptable in a democratic dispensation.

You can’t treat us badly and expect us to be quiet. #FreeSowore #FreeDadiyata

— Chief John (@Ajijohn4) August 3, 2019

Just Confirmed that one of the leaders of the #RevolutionNow movement Comrade Omoyele Sowore @YeleSowore has been arrested by armed men of the DSS overnight. Those who make peaceful negotiations impossible makes violent revolution inevitable. It has started.#FreeSowore pic.twitter.com/tN9TAMmDWE

— Towolawi Jamiu (@jharmo) August 3, 2019

If calling for a revolution is treasonable, at least 70% of Nigerians should be in jail. They have called for it at one point or the other, including those in government now when they were out of government! #FreeSowore ! https://t.co/zbIC2uUcba

— JJ. Omojuwa (@Omojuwa) August 3, 2019

The worst way to suppress a revolution is to arrest or start antagonizing its leaders
Doing such gives the followers more deal and courage to carry out the revolution
So @MBuhari you have just increased the momentum of the revolution
We are prepared#FreeSowore#FreeDadiyata

— Anyebe David (@kvng__Daveed) August 3, 2019

#FreeSowore Mr president do you still remember this protest pictures, who and who dey front of this picture, Mr buhari is you and you and you and you, but today you are sending DSS to arrest someone that is doing sametin that you did some years ago. #freesowore pic.twitter.com/iYOi2Q6Kdd

— P.Master (@peter_nuhu) August 3, 2019

I also add my voice unequivocally to those demanding for @YeleSowore’s release. Free speech and assembly are enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. #FreeSowore

— Dr. Dípò Awójídé (@OgbeniDipo) August 3, 2019

Nigeria is going into a #revolutionnow mode. Pls President @MBuhari #FreeSowore. Let us hear the voices of the oppressed. We are A DEMOCRACY??? @YeleSowore has fought for this nation enough @AmnestyNigeria @hrw @UNHumanRights @SaharaReporters pic.twitter.com/qWqeyrQ4iY

— Dr Kemi Olunloyo (@HNNAfrica) August 3, 2019

Nigeria government can arrest those who are agitating for good governance but they can negotiate with Boko Haram, bandits and kidnappers, herdsmen even assuring us that Boko Haram can become Nigeria president.#FreeSowore

— Buhari Olanrewaju Ahmed (@crownmed) August 3, 2019

Nothing could be more daft! Of all the actions to take against a constitutionally and legally backed protest, the last should be an arrest of the convener. #FreeSowore

— JJ. Omojuwa (@Omojuwa) August 3, 2019