Nigerian activist and publisher, Omoyele Sowore, was on Wednesday detained by the Nigeria Police Force over allegations of forgery and inciting public disturbance, sparking widespread condemnation from rights groups and political allies.
Sowore was taken into custody after honoring a police invitation at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, where he arrived alongside his supporters and legal representatives. According to a statement from his advocacy group, the Take-It-Back Movement, he is currently being held at a police facility in the Federal Capital Territory.
The development follows a formal summons letter sent to Sowore’s lawyer, Tope Temokun, by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Monitoring Unit. The letter indicated that the full details of the complaint would be disclosed during an interview scheduled with DCP Akin Fakorede, head of the IGP Monitoring Unit.
While no formal charges had been filed as of press time, sources familiar with the matter told Daily Trust that the petition against Sowore is linked to alleged forgery and incitement.
Legal and Political Backlash
The detention has triggered an outcry among civil society leaders, lawyers, and political groups.
Human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju condemned the action, calling it “an abuse of office” and urged President Bola Tinubu to immediately dismiss Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun.
“Egbetokun has ordered the detention of Sowore for criticizing his incompetence, favoritism, and other numerous infractions,” Adeyanju claimed.
“The Police Act 2020 and Regulation 367 forbid using police power to settle personal scores. President Tinubu must sack him now.”
In a swift reaction, Juwon Sanyaolu, National Coordinator of the Take-It-Back Movement, described the arrest as part of a pattern of political persecution.
“The Nigerian people, students, workers, and our entire membership are hereby put on notice for a nationwide protest against the unlawful use of state institutions to suppress dissent,” Sanyaolu said.
The African Action Congress (AAC), Sowore’s political party, also issued a strong warning, with National Publicity Secretary Femi Adeyeye threatening mass protests if Sowore is not released unconditionally.
“We are putting all Nigerians on notice,” Adeyeye declared. “We will occupy police commands across the country until Sowore is released and justice is served.”
