Alarming reports have surfaced indicating a potential assassination plot against human rights activist and Sahara Reporters publisher Omoyele Sowore, with sources pointing to the Department of State Services (DSS) as providing technical assistance. The revelation, reported on Saturday, September 27, 2025, follows a series of escalating tensions between Sowore and the Nigerian government, reigniting fears of targeted violence against the activist, whose brother was brutally assassinated years ago under mysterious circumstances.

 

The Leaked Plot

Sowore took to social media earlier today to disclose that insiders had warned him of a targeted assassination plan, allegedly orchestrated with DSS involvement. The activist’s claims stem from a recent Sahara Reporters exposé that exposed internal discord within the DSS, including the deaths of eight officers during a promotion exam scandal. According to Sowore, the DSS Director-General, Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, has intensified efforts to silence him, including rounding up officers suspected of leaking the story to his outlet.

Sowore revealed that senior DSS operatives have been tailgating his associates and gathering intelligence to identify the leak’s source. “These people have a plan to assassinate you, and the DSS is providing technical assistance,” he quoted from sources, adding that the agency’s actions escalated after he criticized President Bola Tinubu, calling him a “criminal” for claiming corruption had vanished under his administration—a statement Sowore disputes with evidence of ongoing graft.

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A History of Threats

This is not the first time Sowore has faced life-threatening risks. During the Muhammadu Buhari administration, he alleged a DSS officer, nicknamed “Marshal,” attempted to assassinate him in open court in Abuja. Sowore recounted being physically rescued by bystanders after the officer, recently trained in “non-lethal” killing techniques in Bulgaria, moved against him. The incident, widely reported at the time, underscored the activist’s long-standing conflict with state security agencies.

Adding a personal dimension to the current threat, Sowore’s brother, Olajide Sowore, was brutally assassinated in 2019 in Okhe Community, Edo State. Gunmen attacked Olajide, a local businessman, in broad daylight, leaving him dead with multiple gunshot wounds. The killing, which remains unsolved, was widely believed to be politically motivated, linked to Omoyele Sowore’s activism and his #RevolutionNow movement. The unresolved case continues to haunt the family, fueling suspicions that the latest plot may be a continuation of past vendettas.

 

Legal Battles Intensify

The alleged assassination plot coincides with mounting legal pressures on Sowore. A Federal High Court judge, Justice M. Umar, has scheduled his arraignment on “cybercrime” charges filed by the DSS for Tuesday, September 30, 2025. Additionally, on Monday, September 29, Justice M.S. Liman will hear a case brought by the Inspector-General of Police, who has held Sowore’s international passport since January 2025. Sowore claims the passport seizure was a deliberate tactic to trap him in Nigeria, rendering him vulnerable to state-orchestrated attacks.

Sowore’s troubles escalated after the DSS petitioned social media giants Twitter and Facebook to act against him, following his critical posts about Tinubu. The agency’s actions, including a one-week ultimatum to remove the posts, have drawn accusations of stifling free speech, with Sowore vowing to appear in court despite the risks.

 

Context and Controversy

The DSS’s alleged involvement has raised eyebrows, given its director-general’s controversial past. Sowore pointed out that Ajayi began his career by posing as a student at the University of Benin in 1990, hinting at a long history of covert operations. Critics argue this reflects a pattern of state overreach, while supporters of the government dismiss Sowore’s claims as attention-seeking, citing his history of contentious activism.

The leaked plot has sparked outrage among pro-democracy groups, with some predicting a public backlash if the allegations are substantiated. However, the narrative remains inconclusive, with official denials expected from the DSS, which has not yet responded to the claims.

 

The potential assassination plot against Sowore, coupled with the unresolved murder of his brother, highlights the perilous environment for activists in Nigeria. It raises critical questions about the DSS’s role, the limits of free expression, and the government’s handling of dissent, especially as legal proceedings loom.

 

The leaked plans to assassinate Omoyele Sowore, allegedly backed by the DSS, have cast a shadow over Nigeria’s political landscape on September 27, 2025. With his brother’s brutal killing in 2019 still fresh in memory and legal battles intensifying, Sowore faces a dire situation. As the nation awaits the DSS’s response and the upcoming court dates, the activist’s call for public resistance may resonate louder than ever.

 

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