The Nigerian government has taken decisive action against the sponsors of the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protest by placing them on a watchlist.
Among those targeted is Omoyele Sowore, a human rights activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC). The directive was issued to the Nigerian Immigration Services (NIS) to arrest these individuals upon their entry into the country.
Kemi Nandap, the Comptroller General of NIS, confirmed this development during a press briefing at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja.
She emphasized that the government has increased officer deployment to land borders and airports to ensure thorough monitoring of the country's entry and exit points.
"We have Diaspora sponsors, they are on our watchlist. They are watchlisted, any attempt they make to come into the country, we'll be notified and they will be picked up and handed to the appropriate authority," Nandap stated.
In response to the government's actions, Sowore took to social media platform X, dismissing the move as "Afro-Foolishness."
He remarked, "We are already on your watchlist, so don't worry yourselves. While you prepare to jail us, also don't forget to fix the prisons because most of you will end up there pretty soon. For now, we are focused on #EndBadGovernmentInNigeria #DaysOfRage #RevolutionNow. #NoGoingBack."
The meeting, convened by President Bola Tinubu, included the Defence Chief and heads of intelligence and security agencies, who discussed the implementation of the crackdown order.
Additionally, the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Yusuf Bichi, represented by DSS spokesman Peter Afunanya, confirmed that some bank accounts linked to the protests had been blocked. Bichi noted that several individuals operating these accounts are based abroad and are being closely monitored.
Critics argue that these measures are an attempt to silence dissent and stifle democratic expression, while the government maintains that it is acting to protect national security.
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