Human rights activist and Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, arrived at the Force Intelligence Department Headquarters in Abuja on Monday, January 27, 2025.
Beyond Boders reports that he was invited by the police over a viral video he posted, accusing officers at a Lagos checkpoint of extortion.
Sowore arrived at 9:58 a.m., ahead of his 10 a.m. meeting with the Deputy Inspector General of Police. The police invitation letter listed several allegations against him, including resisting arrest, obstructing officers, cyberstalking, disobedience to lawful orders, and other related offenses.
Part of the letter stated, “This office is investigating a case of resisting and obstructing public officers, disobedience to lawful orders, acts intended to cause grievous harm or prevent arrest, compelling action by intimidation, reckless and negligent acts, refusal to assist public servants, and cyberstalking, in which your name featured promine.
“You are requested to report for an interview with the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force Intelligence Department (FID), through the undersigned, at SPO’s Room 212, 2nd Floor, Force Intelligence Department Complex, Shehu Shagari Way, opposite Force Headquarters, Area 11, Garki, Abuja, on Monday, 27th January, 2025, at 10 a.m.”
In reaction to the invitation, the Take It Back Movement, a group aligned with Sowore, shared a protest flier on social media. The flier, titled “Occupy Force Headquarters,” featured images of Sowore and the Inspector General of Police and urged citizens to speak out against police extortion.
By early Monday, roads near the Force Headquarters were blocked by armed officers in anti-riot gear, likely as a precaution against the planned protest.
As of this report, Sowore remains inside the Force Intelligence Department for the scheduled meeting. Meanwhile, the situation outside is calm but closely monitored by security personnel.
