TheCable

The Take it Back Movement led by Omoyele Sowore has threatened to continue their protest if youths allegedly arrested for wearing #BuhariMustGo branded shirts are not released.

Last Sunday, some youths were arrested at Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Abuja for allegedly wearing #BuhariMustGo branded shirts.

The church security was said to have arrested the youths and handed them over to the Department of State Services (DSS), but the church denied having a hand in their arrest.

Speaking on the continued detention in a statement by Oni Ayoyinka, one of its leaders, the movement said the individuals have the right to wear whatever they like and should not be punished unjustly.

The movement alleged that the reaction of the church to the protests against the arrest of the youths have shown that the church colluded with the Muhammadu Buhari-led administration to detain them.

It also alleged that friends and family who had gone to the church to demand the release of the detained youths were also harassed and arrested.

“On 4th of July, 2021 Youths dressed in #BuhariMustGo shirts attended Dunamis Church in Abuja. They came out for Altar call and were prayed for by Pastor Enenche. On their way out of the church, they were ambushed by Dunamis Church security who handed them over to the DSS after they were mercilessly tortured,” the statement reads.

“A week later, these youths are still in illegal detention, tortured, denied access to lawyers, families and friends.

“Friends and families who have now gone to the church demanding the intervention of Pastor Enenche whose security handed the youth activists to the DSS were harassed and arrested. Journalists from The PUNCH and Roots TV who have also come to do their job were also molested and whisked away by security agents.

“The actions of the Dunamis5, including a visually impaired Samuel Gabriel at Dunamis last week Sunday is not against any law of the land. They have the right to wear what they like anywhere and they also have the right to operate their phones. We have demanded Dunamis Church to secure their release and we have also sued both Dunamis Church and the DSS.

“The reaction of Dunamis church to the protest by family and friends of the arrested youths have yet again that the church is in direct connivance with the regime in the detention of the activists.

“It is to this end that we state categorically that we’d be occupying the Dunamis Church in Lagos if the activists are not released and allowed to return to their families. And with this, we want to state categorically that mobilizations have now begun to picket the Lagos chapter of the Dunamis Church.

“Wearing BuhariMustGo to church isn’t an offense known to law. #FreeDunamis5Now.”