It was gathered that the Federal Government and the DSS were jolted when the news of government officials’ visit to Sowore at the secret service detention was leaked to the media.

In an exclusive report by the Punch Newspaper, Sources close to the government said the Presidency had thought that the visit would remain a secret and that it would use it to secure the confidence of the detained activist before getting him out of custody.

Those who took part in the botched negotiation included a close political associate of the President, Isa Funtua; Publisher of Vanguard Newspapers, Sam Amuka; Publisher of Thisday Newspapers, Nduka Obaigbena; and Presidential spokesmen, Femi Adesina and Garba Shehu.

The source, who spoke with the Punch correspondents said, “I think the government had felt that the visit, which was very secretive, would be used to talk to Sowore on the need to ease up on in his criticism of its activities.

“The officials felt that having being in detention for a long time, Sowore would be happy to negotiate his release and that he would do that with those sent to talk to him. But the government was jolted when the visit was reported in the media.

“So, it was after this that the government decided that Sowore would not be released. But when the pressure of not obeying the order of the court was becoming unbearable, he was let go with a resolve to pick him up the following day. That was what happened.

“You may need to also know that he was under serious monitoring the evening he was released until he returned to court the following day when he was picked up.”