DSS told NYSC to punish me for participating in protest, says Corp member

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has issued a query to Abiodun Sanusi, a corp member over his participation in an ‘anti-government’ protest.

Although serving in Imo state, Sanusi joined the #RevolutionNow protest in Osogbo, Osun state, in August 2020.

In the letter signed by NYSC LG inspector of Ngor Okpala, Nwali Emmanuel, the scheme asked him to explain why he addressed the press without authorisation from the state coordinator and why he also called for a revolution.

In August, Sanusi was seen in an online video, wearing his NYSC outfit and urging Nigerians to join the demand for good governance and the #RevolutionNow campaign.

 

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The corp member in an interview with TheCable, recounted the what happened.

“On August 4, I appealed to the federal government to provide bad governance and address the issue of insecurity in the country, because it is the responsibility of the government and then the NYSC released a statement that they did not send me to address the nation.

“I did not address the press or Sahara Reporters, I did a video calling on the federal government to address insecurity and unemployment in the country and I shared it on my social media accounts but it was picked from there and shared in news blogs.

“On August 5, I was arrested by the DSS for protesting in Osogbo, Osun state with some other Nigerian youth, who are frustrated by the issue of insecurity and bad governance. What was my offence? I was protesting against insecurity and bad governance.”

The youth corps member said punishing him for speaking against “bad governance” is a violation of his fundamental human rights.

“I spent four days about three nights before I was released at DSS custody for exercising my human rights, peacefully and demanding for good governance.”

“It was because of the lockdown that I was in Osogbo, I’m serving at Ngor Okpala LGA in Imo state. When I went to my local government, I was told that I have been issued a query because I addressed the press and participated in a protest. I did not address the press. I collected the query letter today, but it was dated August. DSS reported me to NYSC that I must not go unpunished for just speaking up against bad governance.”