DSS Denies Detaining Hunger Protest Organiser, Sanyaolu

The Department of State Security Service (DSS), said the service did not arrest nor detain the national mobilisation officer/coordinator of Take It Back Movement (TIBM), Juwon Sanyaolu.

This came after the media reported that Sanyaolu was arrested by the service for coordinating the protest against hunger in Lagos on Wednesday.

Operatives allegedly picked up the activist in a yet-to-be-known location in Lagos.
One of the members of his groups who craved anonymity said he has been detained since Tuesday night at an undisclosed centre by the DSS.

DSS spokesperson, Dr. Peter Afunanya in a short message on Thursday, stated that “Juwon Sanyaolu, coordinator of Take It Back Movement is not with the DSS. He was not invited, arrested or detained by the Service.”

It would be noted that Sanyaolu was reportedly arrested by security operatives, along with other activists, for coordinating the Anti-Hardship protest on June 12 (Democracy Day), despite warnings by security agencies that such a protest should not be held.

Reports claim that, “Sayanolu’s whereabouts had not been known since the night of Tuesday, June 11”.
Another report stated, “We can now confirm that comrade Juwon Sanyaolu, the national coordinator of the Take-it-Back Movement, has been arrested. He was picked up at around 10:05 pm yesterday, June 11th, 2024.”