₦airaland Forum

Operatives of Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS) have arrested Marxist activist and leader of the Talakawa Parliament, Comrade Kola Edokpayi, in Benin City, Edo State, over a proposed Pan-African solidarity rally in support of Burkina Faso’s revolutionary leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré.

The controversial arrest, which took place on Saturday, May 3, 2025, has sparked outrage among rights groups, civil society actors, and pan-Africanists across the continent, who have described it as a blatant act of political repression and an assault on fundamental rights.

Speaking to SaharaReporters, a source close to Edokpayi revealed the circumstances surrounding his arrest.

“He made arrangements for a solidarity rally. The Commissioner of Police called him a day before the rally and held a meeting with him to call it off. He complied and dispatched people to cancel the protest. But DSS and police operatives later stormed his office, broke in, and arrested about six people. Four were released, but they detained him and one other member.”

The planned rally, according to organisers, was part of a broader continental mobilisation in support of Captain Traoré’s defiant stance against French neo colonial influence in West Africa. Similar events were also scheduled to be held in countries like Ghana and South Africa.

Reacting to the arrest, the Edo State chapter of the Take It Back Movement (TIB) issued a strongly worded statement, demanding Edokpayi’s immediate and unconditional release.

“Comrade Edokpayi was arrested for expressing solidarity with the government of Burkina Faso led by Captain Ibrahim Traoré. This blatant act of political repression is not only unlawful but a direct attack on the constitutional rights of Nigerian citizens,” the statement read in part.

“He has consistently mobilised the masses under the platform of the Talakawa Parliament, a grassroots movement that champions the rights of ordinary Nigerians against elite exploitation.”

Signed by Comrade Hafiz Lawal, TIB's Edo State Coordinator, the group further described the arrest as “legally indefensible and morally reprehensible,” accusing Nigerian security agencies of weaponising the state against dissenting voices.

“Freedom of thought, expression, and association are guaranteed under Sections 38, 39, and 40 of the 1999 Constitution. His show of support for Captain Ibrahim Traoré does not in any way justify his arrest,” the group insisted.

In a passionate statement shared online, one Pan-African activist stated: “Arresting Marxist Kola Edokpayi for a proposed solidarity walk in support of Ibrahim Traoré is totally uncalled for. Pan-Africanism shouldn't be killed; it's supposed to be encouraged by all African countries and leaders. I remember Gaddafi, a true Pan-Africanist, who was betrayed by fellow Africans used by Western powers. Kola has done nothing wrong for standing for Africa. He must be released.”

PresidObi:
That's what being a CIA asset can cause

Puppets

Reacting to the arrest, the Edo State chapter of the Take It Back Movement (TIB) issued a strongly worded statement, demanding Edokpayi’s immediate and unconditional release.

Tochitee:
Delulu na wetin obi tell Una for Una Whatapp be this??

SeeAllen:
Tinubu is becoming a tyrant

Holyfic:
Ghana do their own not even a police presence was noticed he reached Nigeria turn Dem arrest people B4 rally start

Holyfic:
Ghana do their own not even a police presence was noticed he reached Nigeria turn Dem arrest people B4 rally start

FuglyGurl:
DSS Arrests Edo-Based Activist, Five Others Over Planned Rally For Burkina Faso’s Revolutionary Leader, Ibrahim Traoré



https://saharareporters.com/2025/05/03/breaking-dss-arrests-edo-based-activist-five-others-over-planned-rally-burkina-fasos

sreamsense:
I know it is only shahara that use to carry this kind of news since the owner himself is someone that likes trouble. If protest is hungry them, they should relocate to Burkina faso to protest. When they misbehaved, they will be looking for jobless individual who will protest with them. Deji is always their lawyers, birds of the same feather flock together. To them now, they are the best not knowing they are constituting nonsense to the society and encouraging youths to grow wayward like them

PressMyButton:
Ford Foundation is paying Sowore for every protest, he's a western puppet.

Holyfic:
Freedom of choice as you nor get am you nor want another person get am. I am no military supporter but no ass licker like you or imperialist supporter, Burkina are happy with their leader most Africans are happy with them get use to it and move on pussy

Holyfic:
Another low life spotted, even CIA de support am too, when fighting for African use another hand to fight dumb ass like you , e nor go easy but we go reach there libra revolusion

TimeManager:
Sowore must be crazy, I dare him take it up and organize so called rally. This is someone who called himself an activist, who prides himself to have fought against military regimes and who always say he is against military dictatorship yet soliciting for the release of some miscreants glorifying a military junta. If any miscreants want to rally for a dictator, they know the road to Burkina Faso. No miscreants will be allowed on Nigerian soil to celebrate another miscreant in far away Burkina Faso.


-Kiss the truth!

PressMyButton:
Very Good, he should be locked up with Kanu. No room for terrorists in Nigeria.