Human rights activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, has announced that the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has returned his international passport, allowing him to travel out of the country after a prolonged ordeal.
In a post shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, Sowore revealed that he departed Nigeria through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport shortly after reclaiming his passport. He stated: “The @nigimmigration has since released my International passport, and I flew out the Murtala Muhammed International Airport shortly after the encounter.”
https://x.com/YeleSowore/status/1844792135716938054?t=B8pYdEQkPLtyVZSiTj45QQ&s=19
This marks a significant development in the activist’s ongoing struggle with Nigerian authorities, as his passport had previously been seized under claims that he was on a government watchlist. The move to withhold his passport was widely condemned by his supporters, who saw it as part of a broader effort to suppress his activism and limit his freedom of movement.
Sowore, who has been an outspoken critic of the Nigerian government, particularly under the administrations of President Muhammadu Buhari and President Bola Tinubu, had faced numerous legal and political hurdles since his arrest in 2019. At the time, the government accused him of inciting unrest and seeking to overthrow the government through his #RevolutionNow movement. His passport was subsequently confiscated, preventing him from leaving the country.
In earlier reports, the Nigerian Immigration Service justified their action by stating that Sowore was on a watchlist, and his movements needed to be monitored closely. The passport seizure was seen as part of these broader efforts to restrict his activities. However, legal pressure and public outcry over his freedom of movement seem to have resulted in a resolution, culminating in the release of his travel document.
The return of his passport and his swift exit from Nigeria may indicate a potential easing of the legal restrictions previously placed on him. However, Sowore has yet to reveal his next steps or whether the matter is completely resolved. Many of his supporters view this moment as a victory in the fight against what they describe as the unlawful harassment of activists and dissidents.
Sowore’s return to activism on the international stage will likely draw more attention to his cause, as he continues to advocate for political and social reforms in Nigeria. His departure comes at a time when there is growing dissatisfaction with the state of governance, economic hardship, and human rights violations in the country.
With his passport now returned, it remains to be seen how Sowore will leverage this newfound freedom to further his advocacy for change both within Nigeria and abroad.
