Story by Bright Onuegbu
Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has been secretly moved from the Force Intelligence Department (FID) of the Nigeria Police Force in Abuja to an unknown location, after being detained on Wednesday, Sahara Reporters reports.
Sowore had gone to the FID office following an official police invitation. Hours later, he raised alarm over what he described as intimidation and abuse of power by the police.
By Thursday morning, a source confirmed he was no longer in the FID facility.
“His location is unknown; a CSP (Chief Superintendent of Police) who works with Muyiwa Adejobi (Force spokesperson) came this morning and forcefully took him away from the FID office, where he was yesterday, after breaking his hand,” the source said.
“His hand is currently broken because when the officer came this morning, he was ready to take him out of the cell without his clothes, but Sowore had to resist and said he wasn’t going to go out of the place without wearing his clothes.”
On Wednesday, Sowore had arrived at the Force Headquarters with a travel bag around 12:16 p.m., accompanied by his lawyers, A.K. Musa and Marshal Abubakar, and a group of supporters chanting anti-government song.
The bag contained clothing, books, and personal hygiene items — a clear sign that he expected to be detained.
Shortly after his arrest, groups like the Take It Back Movement issued a two-hour ultimatum to the police demanding his release or face mass protests.
Sowore had earlier described the police invitation as “defective and riddled with legal errors,” questioning its legality.
The initial allegation of “inciting disturbance” — a charge not recognised under Nigerian law — was later changed to “forgery and criminal defamation.”
In a post on his X handle while in custody, Sowore confirmed that he was served two petitions allegedly originating from what he described as the “illegal office of the IGP.”
He said the petitions were delivered by Deputy Commissioner of Police Akin Fakorede, a former SARS officer.
Sowore noted that one petition accused him of forgery, while the other was reportedly submitted by Bukola Yemisi Kuti, who sources claim was promoted to Assistant Commissioner of Police because of her personal relationship with the Inspector General of Police.
“The notorious former SARS officer, DCP Akin Fakorede presented two petitions to Sowore from the illegal IGP’s office, one alleged forgery and the second written by Bukola Yemisi Kuti, who was promoted to ACP because she’s mistress alleges ‘Criminal Defamation. "According to him.