Activists on the run as secret police lay siege…

It is not the best of times for activists and protesters in Nigeria as the state secret police continue to clamp down on their activities. Activists, protesters and non-governmental organisations have not had it this tough since the period of the military junta in Nigeria.

Even the Nigeria Labour Congress has had a taste of the clampdown with the recent arrest of its president, Joe Ajaero who has since been released by the DSS.

Agbaje Dayo Dare, a Nigerian activist who protested at the 1st August 2024 #EndBadGovernance series of protest, is on the run as a result of the crackdown by the Nigerian secret police.

Agbaje, who did not reveal his location for fear of his safety, has claimed to have received several threats which are meant to keep him silenced and intimidated. During an online interview with him, an emotional Agbaje alleged that secret police agents had been trailing him for some days and even invaded his last residence, but he was not home at the time.

“My life is in danger. All I want is a better Nigeria, but now I fear for my own safety everyday,” he wept.

Speaking further, Agbaje revealed that some of his colleagues have been arrested and detained in unknown locations with no formal charges brought against them.

“As I speak now, the whereabouts of Fajuyi Jackson Kehinde, Micheal Akinwunmi John, Lateef Olatunbosun Ajadi, Victor Wisdom Promise and other protesters who took part in the August 1st #EndBadGovernance protests are still unverified.

“Although we have it on good authority that they were all arrested discreetly during the protest, all efforts to ascertain where they were taken have proved abortive,” he lamented. “I was also targeted for elimination because of my political activism, but I escaped. My family has come under serious harassment all in the efforts to make them disclose my whereabouts.

The illegal arrests and detention of the #End BadGovernance leaders and protesters coupled with the recent invasion of NLC and SERAP headquarters have led to massive outrage both locally and internationally, with many supporters calling for an immediate investigation into Agbaje’s claims.

Civil society organisations have also demanded that the government uphold its commitment to protect citizens’ rights to free speech and peaceful assembly.