Abuja, Nigeria – An attempt by the Nigeria Police Force to showcase detained activist Omoyele Sowore as being “well treated” has boomeranged, drawing renewed criticism and intensifying calls for his release.
On Friday, the Commissioner of Police leading journalists and activists to see Sowore abruptly ended the visit after the outspoken activist used the opportunity to demand the immediate removal of the “illegal” Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, rather than play along with what he described as “a waste of the media’s time.”
Following the abrupt end to the visit, the IGP Monitoring Team reportedly returned to the detention facility with a police cameraman, claiming they had received three fresh petitions against Sowore. The activist and his lawyer, Marshal Abubakar, both rejected the new allegations before the police team departed.
Police sources disclosed that earlier, two petitions had been cited against Sowore — one from the IGP’s office and another allegedly filed by a female police officer said to have enjoyed unusually rapid promotions, which insiders linked to her close relationship with the police chief.
A Show of Shame
The police-organised visit was intended to counter mounting allegations of assault and poor treatment of the activist, but it ended up further fuelling public anger. Sowore, a former presidential candidate and publisher of SaharaReporters, appeared before the media with a bandage on his hand, speaking in a defiant tone.
“I have been expecting this from the Nigerian police, and I am not surprised about this show of shame – all in a bid to paint an okay picture of what is going on,” he said.
“I was attacked by men of the Nigerian police, and they broke my hand. Instead of bringing a doctor, they went and brought a nurse. Now, instead of medical attention, they bring the media.
The police know what to do — they should release me and apologise for how they have treated me.”
Sowore also criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration, saying, “I am disappointed in the President… they have reduced the country to this form of show of shame.”
Detention and Alleged Intimidation
Sowore’s arrest on Wednesday followed what police described as an “official invitation.” He was initially held at the Force Intelligence Department (FID) in Abuja before being secretly moved at dawn on Thursday to an undisclosed location.
According to sources, the transfer was carried out by a Chief Superintendent of Police said to be working closely with Force spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi. Sowore reportedly resisted being taken out of his cell without his clothes, leading to a scuffle in which his hand was allegedly broken.
Mounting Pressure and Protests
The detention has attracted international attention, with several groups accusing IGP Egbetokun of pursuing a personal vendetta against the activist, who has been a vocal critic of police misconduct and abuse of power.
In Nigeria, protests are already underway. Groups such as the Ohanaeze Youth Council and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) have issued ultimatums to the police to release Sowore.
Police authorities are reportedly deploying various measures to manage the growing public outrage, but Friday’s botched media visit appears to have further deepened public scepticism over their handling of the matter.
