Juwon Sanyaolu, a leading human rights activist and National Coordinator of the Take It Back Movement, has been released from police custody. He was freed from the Ikeja headquarters of the Lagos State Police Command on Thursday night, after a two-day period during which his whereabouts were unknown.
Ayoyinka Oni, a member of the Lagos State chapter of the TIB Movement, confirmed Sanyaolu’s release. In a video shared with our correspondent, Oni is seen leaving the police station with Sanyaolu, who can be heard chanting “Solidarity forever!”
Despite the release, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, has yet to respond to inquiries regarding the situation. Sanyaolu’s detention had already generated significant public outcry. Omoyele Sowore, publisher of Sahara Reporters and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, condemned the arrest in an interview with The PUNCH on Thursday.
“It is very sad that after 25 years of Nigeria’s return to civilian rule, a bunch of people in the government led by Bola Tinubu – a person who purportedly participated in the quest for democracy; these elements of retrogressive politics have completely destroyed the very fabric and tenets of democracy, particularly, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms!” Sowore stated.
The circumstances of how Sanyaolu ended up in police custody remain unclear, as the police had previously asserted that he was not in their detention.