Human rights activist and #RevolutionNow convener, Omoyele Sowore, has been detained by the Nigeria Police Force at its headquarters in Abuja following an invitation from the Inspector General of Police’s Monitoring Unit.
Sowore, who arrived at the Force Headquarters around 12:13 p.m. on Wednesday, was accompanied by his lawyers, Barristers A.K. Musa and Marshal Abubakar, as well as a crowd of supporters chanting anti-government slogans and calling for the removal of IGP Kayode Egbetokun.
The activist reportedly came prepared for detention, carrying a travel bag filled with personal items such as clothing, toiletries, and books.
Investigations revealed that Sowore declined to write a statement during interrogation, demanding instead to see the original police memo which he is alleged to have forged.
An update posted on Sowore’s official Facebook page later in the day claimed that DCP Akin Fakorede, a former SARS officer, presented two petitions against him—one alleging forgery and the other filed by Bukola Yemisi Kuti, accusing him of criminal defamation.
The post also claimed that Kuti, who reportedly wrote one of the petitions, had been promoted to Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) and described her as “a mistress,” alleging personal motives behind the complaint.
Sowore had previously rejected the police invitation, describing it as “defective and riddled with legal errors,” while also challenging the validity of the initial accusation—“inciting disturbance,” a term he said is not recognised under Nigerian law. The allegations were later changed to forgery and criminal defamation.
Supporters at the venue claimed Sowore’s detention was part of a broader political vendetta by the police leadership.
“It is shameful that the Inspector General of Police has resorted to vendetta against Sowore, who has consistently spoken truth to power,” said Rex Elanu of the Take It Back Movement. “We will continue to fight to liberate Nigerians from the bondage of bad governance, including that of the Nigeria Police.”
As of the time of filing this report, Sowore remained in custody.
