Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore, alongside members of the Take It Back Movement, returned to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday to press for the discharge certificate of female corps member Ushie Rita Uguamaye, popularly known as “Raye.”
Tension arose as soldiers initially blocked the team from reaching the office of the NYSC Director-General, insisting that Sowore’s movements on the premises should not be recorded.
Footage from the scene shows a military officer attempting to prevent team members from filming the incident, while Sowore and his supporters continued their protest.
One of the soldiers said, "Don't video, it is affecting us. Don't video."
Sowore told him to calm down, adding, "It doesn't concern you. This is not the Nigerian Army Headquarters; this is the NYSC Headquarters. How does it affect you?"
The officer said, "Please, you can come in anytime, but this video is affecting us,” but Sowore again replied, "I'm recording my own movement; I'm taking a video at the NYSC headquarters. How is that a problem for you?"
When asked whether recording videos at the NYSC headquarters was a crime or if any regulation prohibited it, the officer was unable to provide an answer.
Sowore then instructed the officer to fetch his superior, who would be responsible for enforcing the law, noting that the officer appeared unaware of any rule barring video recordings.
The human rights activist emphasized that no law forbids filming at the NYSC headquarters. He told the officer that the videos were unrelated to him, highlighting that the headquarters is a federal parastatal and a public space.
Sowore further suggested that if recording were prohibited, the NYSC management should post a clear notice at the entrance.
Later, as Sowore and his team proceeded to meet the Director of Special Duties, soldiers again tried to stop them from filming. Sowore confronted one of the soldiers, asking if he was the director general they intended to meet, pointing out that the attempt to block them at the main entrance was inappropriate.
Sowore said, "Are you the director of NYSC? We are supposed to see the director of special duties.
The overzealous officer said, "Stop this video; I can direct you."
Sowore told the officer that they had been given instructions to go and meet the Director of Special Duties, but the military officer was overreacting.
“Sorry, sir, please hold on for a moment and stop the video,” the soldier repeated.
Eventually, the team was able to go in.
Similarly, on August 12, Sowore went to the NYSC headquarters to demand Raye’s discharge certificate.
During that previous visit, the former presidential candidate was accompanied by some activists including human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, who also serves as Raye's legal representative.
SaharaReporters earlier reported that Raye narrated her experience, which led to her being unable to complete her clearance in April.
Speaking recently on an X Space organised by Sowore, she accused the Local Government Inspector (LGI), identified as Veronica, of denying her the right to carry out her biometric exercise.
"I was at the LGI centre in April to carry out my biometric exercise and the LGI official on duty refused to allow me do that despite the fact that I submitted documents I usually submitted in previous months for the clearance,” she said.
"Despite the fact that I told the officer that what I submitted is what is usually needed, including a clearance letter from my place of primary assignment, she did not listen. Instead, she told me to get back out of her office, and that was what happened."
She noted that she was later invited by the NYSC over claims that she did not carry out her biometric for April 2025 but said she was not given a fair hearing.
"When the jury called me, they did not even listen to me, they did not want to hear what I had to say," she said during the Space.
She expressed disappointment that proper checks were not done before the NYSC issued a statement accusing her of missing her biometric exercise.
SaharaReporters earlier reported that the NYSC stated that Raye’s Certificate of National Service (CNS) was withheld due to her failure to attend the mandatory April 2025 biometric clearance, not because of any critical remarks she made about President Bola Tinubu's government.
The NYSC management described as “entirely unfounded and false” the claims circulating on social media that the certificate was withheld due to her criticism of the government.
The NYSC stated that Rita was among 131 corps members whose certificates were withheld for valid disciplinary reasons.
According to the NYSC, her service year was specifically extended by two months for failing to attend the April 2025 biometric clearance — a decision it claimed aligns with the NYSC Bye-Laws.
Sowore, however, vowed to ensure justice for Raye, stating that the injustice meted out to her would not be allowed to stand.
Culled from Sharareporters
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