The Department of State Services (DSS) in Osun State has reportedly summoned Olasunkanmi Mary Oluwatosin, the Organising Secretary of the state chapter of the Take It Back (TIB) Movement, in connection with a nationwide protest scheduled for Monday, April 7.
Despite the development, the Take It Back Movement has reaffirmed its commitment to going ahead with the protest, which it says is intended to draw national attention to what it describes as the “authoritarian tendencies” of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. The group also aims to protest alleged human rights violations and the misuse of the Cybercrime Act to suppress dissent.
The demonstration is tagged “Nationwide Protest Against Bad Governance and Suppression of Free Speech.”
According to information obtained by SaharaReporters, a DSS official identified simply as Mr. Akin allegedly contacted Oluwatosin via WhatsApp, asking her to report to the DSS office in Osogbo, the state capital.
Oluwatosin, speaking to journalists on Sunday evening, disclosed that a DSS agent had first reached out to her on Saturday, requesting information about the planned protest. She also received a second call from an unidentified number on Sunday, inviting her for what was described as a casual “chat” at the DSS facility.
“I received a call from a DSS official yesterday who wanted to know more about our planned protest. I told her I wasn’t currently in town and wasn’t aware of the details,” she recounted. “Then today, another unknown number called, asking me to come in for a chat. When I asked for clarity, the person simply said they wanted to talk.”
The contact from security officials has raised concerns among activists and members of civil society, who view the move as an attempt to intimidate organizers ahead of the demonstration.
In a show of solidarity, the National Coordinator of the TIB Movement, Sanyaolu Juwon, reportedly attempted to reach the DSS official via WhatsApp. In a message that had yet to be delivered at the time of reporting, Juwon firmly reminded the security agency of citizens’ constitutional rights.
“Hello Mr. Akin. My name is Sanyaolu Juwon. I am the National Coordinator of the Take It Back Movement. One of our comrades in Osun contacted me about ongoing intimidation by your office. I must remind you that the right to peaceful protest is guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution. Kindly refrain from further harassment,” he wrote.
As anticipation builds ahead of Monday’s protest, various civil rights groups and pro-democracy advocates are watching closely, expressing concerns about potential government overreach and suppression of fundamental freedoms.
