[1]Yusuf Siyaka Onimisi (waving) with Lawal Haruna (@lawalharuna) shortly after his release. Photo from @lawalharuna.
An engineer who tweets as @ciaxon [2] who was allegedly detained for nearly two weeks after live-tweeting a deadly shootout between Boko Haram terrorists and security forces has been released.
Yusuf Siyaka Onimisi went missing shortly after he posted a series of photos and eyewitness reports on March 30, 2014 of an escape attempt [3] by several members of the northern Nigeria-based jihadist terrorist organisation held in detention at the Department of State Services (DDS) that left 20 dead.
Ayo Sogunro (@ayosogunro [4]), who together with Fola Lawal (@SheCrownLita [5]) was in direct contact with Siyaka's family, announced on April 12:
Update: I have received a phone call that the government released Ciaxon at midnight. We are working on a visual confirmation. #FreeCiaxon [6]
— Ayo Sogunro (@ayosogunro) April 12, 2014 [7]
Sogunro added that authorities still owe Nigerians an explanation for Siyaka's disappearance, and as such protests demanding Siyaka's release in Alausa, an area in Lagos that hosts the state government house, would still go on:
Update: Ciaxon is free, folks. #FreeCiaxon [6] is a success. But the Nigerian government cannot simply walk away from this. Alausa still holds.
— Ayo Sogunro (@ayosogunro) April 12, 2014 [8]
Fola payed tribute to @lammyng [9], who first broke the news on social media:
Big thanks to @lammyng [9] you mentioned first on social media. Thanks for being an ear in the outside World. #FreeCiaxon [6]
— Ms ‘Fola |FreeCiaxon (@SheCrownLita) April 12, 2014 [10]
Lawal Haruna (@lawalharuna [11]) tweeted this photo of Siyaka after his release:
pic.twitter.com/a6Ii3HpdAn [12]
— lawal haruna (@lawalharuna) April 12, 2014 [13]
Gbenga Sesan tweeted a short video [14] confirming that Siyaka has indeed regained freedom.
Twitter user @Idris_Giroman explained why the protest were still moving forward:
After the release of @ciaxon [2], the DSS must give an explanation of his abduction. #FreeCiaxon [6] — Idris azeez lanre (@Idris_Giroman) April 12, 2014 [15]
Babatunde Rosanwo insisted:
It is not in my place to say if @ciaxon [2] is wrong but I know his abductors did not follow the law. That is the fundamental issue. #FreeCiaxon [6]
— babatunde rosanwo (@rosanwo) April 12, 2014 [16]
@BabajideFadoju reported on the protest:
The protests is on going #FreeCiaxon [6] @ayosogunro [4] @Ayourb [17] @Gidi_Traffic [18] @eggheader [19] @omojuwa [20] @ogundamisi [21] pic.twitter.com/b6ytsRjxW8 [22]
— Free@Ciaxon (@BabajideFadoju) April 12, 2014 [23]
Apparently the protest in some parts of Lagos led to a traffic jam, OgheneSanmi explained:
Traffic build up along CMD road leading to SSS office. Armed policemen stationed 100 meters away and around d place.#freeciaxon [24] protest
— OgheneSanmi (@Ilesanmibrillow) April 12, 2014 [25]
Seyi Martins-Ogunye confirmed:
We've been stopped by the SSS on CMD road. They won't let us advance to their office. We won't let that happen. #FreeCiaxon [6] #Lagos [26]
— Seyi Martins-Ogunye (@thisIsPhakt) April 12, 2014 [27]
A #FreeCiaxon Protest was also organized in Ibadan, about 120 kilometres from Lagos:
Ibadan up for #FreeCiaxon [6]. ..stop this violation against human rights… pic.twitter.com/guuTefkEVb [28]
— Obajeun.com (@obajeun) April 12, 2014 [29]
@Chxta explained what should be taken away from Siyaka's arrest and release:
One thing that the whole @ciaxon [2] thing has shown us is that the arbitrary nature of arrests in our country should be reviewed #FreeCiaxon [6]
— Nna Ebuka (@Chxta) April 12, 2014 [30]
Charles Akah celebrated Siyaka for paying a heavy prize in defence of free speech:
I appreciate @ciaxon [2] for his bravery in informing us all and having to go through the consequences of doing so. #FreeCiaxon [6]
— Charles Akah (@chijindu_akah) April 12, 2014 [31]