Security operatives arrest Abuja #EndBadGovernance protest leader

Take It Back Movement says the Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested Michael Adaramoye, also known as Michael Lenin, its national coordinator, in Abuja.

‘Take it Back Movement’ is one of the organisers of the #EndBadGovernance protest.

Peter Afunanya, DSS spokesperson, did not immediately respond to TheCable’s request for comments.

Nigerians have taken to the streets since August 1 to rail against bad governance. The demonstrations have been themed ’10 Days of Rage’.

The protesters are demanding for a lean government, a return of the petrol subsidy regime, food security, fiscal discipline among others.

In a post on social media, the group said Adaramoye was “abducted” by the DSS from his residence at around 2am on Monday.

“We demand his immediate and unconditional release,” the post reads.

Adaramoye had spoken at a briefing on Sunday, expressing disappointment in President Bola Tinubu’s address to the nation.

He had said the protest would continue on Monday, and called on Nigerians to come out in large numbers.

“Many had requested that the President should just address the nation when the protest was being mobilised and when it started to escalate, but most of us did not know that the President would only justify state violence on protesters and journalists while dismissing the demands of the protesters whenever he decides to speak,” he said.

“This, plus the failed attempt to co-opt the progressive and radical language of the protests only shows how much President Tinubu is out of touch with the masses.”