Former Presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has called for the immediate release of popular Arewa X influencer, Sarki aka Waspapping, who according to reports, was arrested by officials of the Department of State Security DSS on Friday evening, March 7.
Waspapping, who is very vocal on X with his stance on politics and world view, was allegedly picked up over a post he made about the US/Israel/Iran war.
In a post shared on X, Sowore demanded for the release of the influencer. He argued that no Nigerian citizen should be arrested or detained simply for expressing opinions about the actions of foreign governments or commenting on ongoing international conflicts. Sowore opined that Freedom of expression must apply equally to discussions about global affairs and acts of war involving foreign interests.
His statement reads
‘’I have learned that the lawless Department of State Services (DSS) has arbitrarily and unlawfully detained a social media influencer known as Sarki @Waspapping_.
He was reportedly arrested over comments he made about the Israel–Iran war, particularly criticisms directed at the State of Israel over its egregious warmongering and crimes against humanity in Gaza and elsewhere.
No Nigerian citizen should be arrested or detained simply for expressing opinions about the actions of foreign governments or commenting on ongoing international conflicts. Freedom of expression must apply equally to discussions about global affairs and acts of war involving foreign interests.
The DSS must therefore immediately release Sarki @Waspapping_ and end this unlawful detention.
Nigeria cannot claim to be a democracy while citizens are arrested for expressing views on international events.”
