Tensions Rise as DSS Summons Osun TIB Leader Ahead of Nationwide Protest

In a move stirring fresh concerns about the state of civil liberties in Nigeria, the Department of State Services (DSS) in Osun State has reportedly summoned Olasunkanmi Mary Oluwatosin, the organizing secretary of the state chapter of the Take It Back (TIB) Movement, for questioning regarding a planned nationwide protest set for April 7, 2025.

The Take It Back Movement, known for its outspoken stance on national issues, has reiterated its determination to go ahead with the protest. The planned demonstration, tagged “Nationwide Protest Against Bad Governance and Suppression of Free Speech,” seeks to address grievances over what the group describes as “the authoritarianism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, continued violations of human rights, and the misuse of the Cybercrime Act.”

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DSS Contact Sparks Outcry from Activists

According to reports from SaharaReporters, a DSS official identified simply as Akin initiated contact with Oluwatosin via WhatsApp, inviting her to the DSS office in Osogbo, the state capital. The message, while not overtly threatening, was interpreted by many activists as part of a broader pattern of surveillance and intimidation aimed at discouraging civic activism.

Oluwatosin, speaking to journalists late Sunday evening, confirmed that a DSS operative had reached out to her the previous day seeking information about the protest’s logistics. She also revealed that she received a second phone call on Sunday from an unidentified number, again urging her to visit the DSS office.

“When I asked the purpose of the invitation, they simply said it was for a ‘chat,’” she recounted. “One DSS official called me yesterday and asked for details about our protest tomorrow, but I told her I wasn’t in town and knew nothing about the protest. Another number called me this evening, saying they wanted to see me in their office. When I asked why, the person said they just wanted to chat, but I told them I wasn’t in town.”

Activists across the country have raised alarms, suggesting that such summons, even when framed as casual conversations, could serve as veiled attempts to intimidate protest leaders and suppress public dissent.

TIB National Coordinator Responds to Alleged Intimidation

Responding swiftly to the developments in Osun, the National Coordinator of the TIB Movement, Sanyaolu Juwon, issued a stern warning to the DSS. In a WhatsApp message reportedly sent to Officer Akin, Juwon condemned what he termed as harassment and attempted suppression of constitutionally protected rights.

“Hello Mr. Akin. My name is Sanyaolu Juwon. I am the National Coordinator of the Take It Back Movement. One of our comrades called me from Osun that you have been harassing and intimidating her,” his message began.

“I’d like to remind you that the right to protest is constitutionally guaranteed. You are advised to please desist from this,” Juwon added.

At the time of filing this report, it was confirmed that the message had yet to be delivered, raising further concerns about whether communication lines between activists and security agencies were being monitored or disrupted.

Nationwide Protest to Proceed Despite Pressure

Despite what the TIB Movement calls “tactical intimidation,” the group remains firm in its decision to proceed with Monday’s protest. The demonstration is expected to attract participation from various civil society organizations, students, and pro-democracy activists across Nigeria’s major cities. The protest, organizers insist, is a peaceful rally aimed at highlighting the growing discontent with rising authoritarian tendencies, the shrinking space for free speech, and government policies perceived to be detrimental to ordinary Nigerians.

In a statement released over the weekend, the TIB emphasized that the protest will serve as a “loud reminder to those in power that the citizens will not remain silent in the face of injustice, economic hardship, and the misuse of legislation to gag free speech.”

The Cybercrime Act, originally designed to address online fraud and digital threats, has come under fire from activists who argue that it is increasingly being weaponized against journalists, bloggers, and critics of the government.

Broader Implications for Civic Space and Democracy

Legal experts and human rights advocates warn that the DSS’s engagement with protest organizers could have serious implications for democratic governance in Nigeria. While security agencies are tasked with maintaining public order, rights groups argue that their approach must not infringe upon constitutionally guaranteed freedoms.

“This isn’t just about a protest in Osun State,” said a Lagos-based lawyer and activist, Amina Ogundele. “It’s about the right of every Nigerian to freely express dissent without fear of being summoned, detained, or surveilled.”

She further emphasized that the culture of inviting activists for questioning under vague premises must be called out and legally challenged. “If we normalize this, the democratic space will continue to shrink, and genuine civic engagement will be at risk.”

As Nigeria prepares for yet another critical moment in its democratic journey, all eyes will be on how security agencies handle the protest and whether they respect the rights of citizens to peacefully express their views.

Observers believe that the unfolding situation in Osun State could serve as a litmus test for the Tinubu administration’s tolerance for dissent and commitment to democratic norms. While the nation awaits April 7 with anticipation and concern, the call for accountability, transparency, and respect for civil rights remains as urgent as ever.