ABUJA — Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, on Wednesday made a dramatic appearance at the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters in Abuja, arriving with a travel bag packed for possible detention.
The visit follows a summons from the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Monitoring Unit, which invited Sowore for questioning over a petition alleging forgery and criminal defamation. The letter, dated August 5, sparked swift reaction from the activist, who vowed to honour the invitation with what he called a “full house.”
True to his word, Sowore showed up at the police facility around 12:16 p.m., accompanied by his legal team — A.K. Musa and Marshal Abubakar — as well as a large group of chanting supporters. Protesters sang anti-government and anti-IGP Kayode Egbetokun songs as they gathered outside the police headquarters.
In a symbolic show of defiance and readiness, Sowore carried a visibly packed travel bag containing essentials such as soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, clothing, and books — a clear message that he was mentally prepared to be detained.
The activist had earlier called on “revolutionary comrades, citizens of conscience, and voices of resistance” to accompany him to the summons, describing the police action as another attempt to silence dissent.
As of press time, details of the police questioning and whether Sowore was detained remain unclear. However, his bold appearance has already reignited conversations around press freedom, civil rights, and the shrinking space for activism in Nigeria.
Comments