Sowore spends second day in police custody after honouring invitation

Omoyele Sowore, an activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters, has been detained by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) in Abuja.

On Wednesday, Sowore arrived at the NPF headquarters in Abuja to honour an invitation from the inspector-general of police monitoring unit, over a petition.

The activist was accompanied to the force headquarters by his lawyers and some activists, with members of the ‘Take It Back Movement’ also in tow.

The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in 2023 carried a travel bag containing some personal items.

The activist was not released on Wednesday as he spent the night in police custody.

In the letter dated August 1 and addressed to Sowore, the police said the activist’s name “featured prominently” in a case bordering on “forgery and inciting disturbance”.

The activist was asked to appear before the monitoring unit office at the force headquarters on Monday, August 4, 2025.

“This office is investigating the above mentioned case reported on 31st July 2025 in which your name featured prominently,” the invitation letter had stated.

The interview was later postponed as Sowore demanded for a copy of the alleged petition.

Sowore has been at loggerheads with police authorities in recent months, following his criticism of the tenure extension of Kayode Egbetokun, the IGP,  and the poor welfare of retired police officers.