Protesters Storm Police Headquarters In Abuja And Lagos, Demand Sowore’s Release

Protesters on Thursday stormed the Force Headquarters in Abuja and the Lagos State Police Command Headquarters, demanding the immediate release of human rights activist Omoyele Sowore.

Dressed in black and waving the Nigerian flag, the protesters chanted anti-government songs and accused the police of intimidation. They denied claims that they had blocked any roads during the demonstration.

“We are exercising our fundamental constitutional rights. We did not block any road. An Assistant Commissioner of Police is here to intimidate us, coming alongside a dog to attack us. We are here within the ambit of the law, let it be on record,” one protester told journalists.

In Lagos, the protest began around 10:00 a.m. at the Command Headquarters in Ikeja, with demonstrators vowing to return daily until Sowore is freed. No police officer has addressed them so far.

Sowore was arrested on Wednesday after honouring a police invitation at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, where he is being investigated by the Inspector General of Police Monitoring Unit for alleged forgery and inciting disturbance. Reports indicate he has remained in custody since then.

The arrest sparked outrage nationwide, especially after allegations emerged that police officers broke Sowore’s hand while attempting to forcibly transfer him from custody to court on Thursday morning.

Amnesty International condemned the incident, alleging that Sowore was assaulted at the Force Intelligence Department in Abuja around 6:00 a.m. and taken to an unknown location.

“Amnesty International just received deeply disturbing reports of a violent attempt by the police to forcibly drag activist Omoyele Sowore from his cell to court at 6:00 a.m. As a result, he sustained a severe injury on his left hand and has since been taken to an unknown location. We are calling on Nigerian authorities to call the police to order and halt any further physical harm to Sowore. He must be immediately given adequate medical care. Attempting to drag Sowore to a judicial process without recourse to his lawyer is a flagrant disregard for the rule of law,” the rights group stated.

It further demanded Sowore’s unconditional release, calling the charges against him “bogus and politically motivated,” and urging authorities to listen to critics instead of silencing them through abuse of power.