The Nigeria Police Force has allegedly threatened to handcuff human rights activist and #RevolutionNow convener, Omoyele Sowore, after he refused to write a statement over allegations of forgery and criminal defamation
According to SaharaReporters, Sowore and his legal team demanded access to the petition and identity of the complainant before making any statement — a request the police reportedly declined.
Sources revealed that officers were directed to bring in handcuffs and vehicles in an apparent attempt to intimidate and force the activist into compliance.
As of the time of this report, Sowore stood his ground, insisting he would not write any statement until the police presented the required documents in line with due process.
Meanwhile, protesters continued to gather outside the Force Headquarters in Abuja, calling for Sowore’s immediate release and condemning what they described as a politically motivated effort to silence him.
Earlier, SaharaReporters had reported that Sowore arrived at the police headquarters at exactly 12:16 p.m. with a travel bag packed with essentials — including a toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, clothes, and books — signaling his readiness for possible detention.
He was accompanied by his lawyers, Barristers A.K. Musa and Marshal Abubakar, alongside a crowd of supporters chanting anti-government and anti-IGP Kayode Egbetokun slogans.
The situation grew tense as members of the Take It Back Movement and allied groups issued a two-hour ultimatum to the police.
“If they refuse to release Sowore, then they must arrest us with him. We are not going to leave here. This is 12:16 p.m., and after two hours, if they fail to release him, then they have to arrest all of us,” said Princess Mikky, convener of #NUDE NIGERIA.
Rex Elanu of the Take It Back Movement described the police action as “a vendetta by the IGP,” accusing the Force of trying to crush dissent.
“It is shameful that the Inspector General of Police has resorted to vendetta against Sowore, who has consistently spoken truth to power. We will continue to liberate Nigerians from the bondage of bad governance, including that of the Nigeria Police,” he declared.
Sowore had previously dismissed the police invitation as “defective and riddled with legal errors.” The original accusation of “inciting disturbance” — a term not recognized under Nigerian law — was later changed to “forgery and criminal defamation.”
Critics have described the entire case as yet another instance of targeted harassment against voices critical of the state.
