Sowore Confronts DSS At Abuja Court After Activist ‘Flag Boy’ Is Blocked For Displaying ‘Stop Benue Killings’ Flag

Operatives of Nigeria’s secret police, the Department of State Services (DSS), on Thursday barred a peaceful activist popularly known as “Flag Boy” and some Abuja residents from entering the premises of the Federal High Court over a protest flag with the inscription: “Stop Benue Killings.”

The incident, captured in a video posted on X by human rights activist Omoyele Sowore, occurred amid the ongoing trial of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, for which the DSS heavily secured the court premises.

In the video, Sowore confronted DSS operatives who blocked the entrance of the court while Flag Boy held the Nigerian flag with the message against the killings in Benue.

“They said this man; he wants to come inside court (They said this man wants to come into the court),” Sowore said in pidgin English, referring to the activist.

Flag Boy responded, “They said they will arrest me if I come inside.”

Sowore, visibly angered, challenged the DSS officers: “Why they go arrest you? Wetin you do? You no commit any crime nah, why they arrest you? It is not a crime for him to carry Nigerian flag nah (Why would they arrest you? What did you do? You haven’t committed any crime. Carrying the Nigerian flag is not a crime).”

He accused the DSS of overstepping its mandate and suppressing peaceful dissent.

“I know what they (DSS) are here for. Your case is on the second floor. Why do you want to block the whole street? I have even been to your case venue; you locked the door. I have a case on the first floor, and he is with me. Please let him come in,” Sowore said.

“Your territory is restricted to that courtroom where you have your national suspect.”

One of the DSS officers responded, “There should not be protest inside the court premises.”

But Sowore quickly fired back, “No, this is the street of the court. He has not gone inside. It is when he goes inside that you have a problem. I have brought him into court several times. He is my partner. We are partners in the struggle for a better Nigeria.

“I am not going to deny that he is not my person. And he has a right to be raising a Nigerian flag. You should be happy that he even has the biggest flag. The only flag today that is flying in Nigeria is carried by this guy. The rest don rest.”

The activist also questioned the priorities of Nigeria’s security forces: “And are you guys not supposed to end the war in Benue State? Please, officer, let him pass.”

However, the DSS operative said, “I don't have that right to let him pass.”

“The right you don't have is the right to prevent Nigerians from walking on the street. That is wrong. You are impeding the freedom of movement and that is not the job of a DSS. You are for internal security,” Sowore said.

“In fact, if it is not in Nigeria, you have no business coming to court to come and prevent people from entering court. The court has a public gallery where people are supposed to even observe trials.”

The tense encounter occurred as Nnamdi Kanu’s trial continued inside the heavily guarded court, with access to the premises tightly restricted.

The IPOB leader, arrested and detained by the Nigerian government since 2021, is facing terrorism-related charges in a case that has drawn widespread attention and criticism from local and international human rights groups.