Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore has alleged that the Nigeria Police Force is planning to detain him due to his outspoken criticism of the extension of Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun’s tenure.
Sowore arrived at the Force Intelligence Headquarters at 9:58 a.m. on Monday, responding to a police invitation following his viral video exposing alleged extortion by officers at a Lagos checkpoint.
The activist was summoned to address several allegations, including resisting and obstructing public officers, disobedience to lawful orders, cyberstalking, and actions purportedly aimed at preventing arrests.
In a Facebook post, Sowore disclosed that the police interrogation relied on “rehashed information” largely drawn from online sources.
Sowore stated, “I have recently completed an engagement with a team from the Nigeria Police Force at the Force Intelligence Department (FID) in Abuja, which they referred to as an ‘interview.’
“The police relied on a rehashed set of information sourced mostly from the internet. When I asked them to identify the location of the alleged ‘crime’ in Lagos, they provided a vague response, stating it was along the airport road.
“I chose not to provide a written statement, as we informed the Police team that, in the absence of a defined crime, the process to determine such was unnecessary. They took a break and later informed me that they were awaiting instructions from their superiors. It seems their plan is to detain me and take me to Lagos for a kangaroo trial.
“However, I am prepared to face any consequences. I made it clear to the team that the matter revolves around my publicly stated view that the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, who is due for retirement and clearly tired, had his tenure extended illegally. I maintain that we are entering a promising and our fight for justice will persist. #RevolutionNow.”
