Operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have arrested Micheal Lenin, a prominent leader of the ongoing Endbadgovernance protests in the Federal Capital Territory. Lenin was detained around 2 a.m. on Monday at his residence in the Apo area of Abuja.
Damilare Adenola, Director of Mobilisation for the Take It Back Movement, reported that the DSS raided Lenin’s home and alleged that Lenin was assaulted during the arrest. “Lenin has been arrested by the DSS. He was picked up during a raid on his house around 2 a.m.,” Adenola said. “He was arrested and tortured in the presence of his family. We are demanding his immediate and unconditional release.”
Efforts to reach DSS spokesperson Peter Afunanya for comment have been unsuccessful as of the time of this report.
Lenin, who serves as the National Coordinator of the Youth Rights Campaign, had recently criticized President Bola Tinubu’s address to the nation regarding the protests. Lenin expressed disappointment in the President’s response, stating it failed to address the concerns of the protesters and only justified state violence.
In a recent press briefing, Lenin criticized President Tinubu for being out of touch with the realities of the country and for failing to adequately address the demands of the protesters. Lenin called for continued protests, urging Nigerians to participate in large numbers on Monday, despite the violence and repression aimed at silencing dissent.
