SaharaReporters had earlier reported that Sowore was secretly transferred from the Force Intelligence Department (FID) of the Nigeria Police Force in Abuja, where he was detained on Wednesday after honouring an official invitation.
Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, was reportedly assaulted by no fewer than eight police officers early Thursday morning before being moved to an undisclosed location.
SaharaReporters had earlier reported that Sowore was secretly transferred from the Force Intelligence Department (FID) of the Nigeria Police Force in Abuja, where he was detained on Wednesday after honouring an official invitation.
A source confirmed on Thursday morning that the activist was taken from the FID premises around 6 a.m. and relocated to an unknown destination.
Providing further details, the source said: “They invaded Sowore’s cell at 6 am this (Thursday) morning; the police officers were led by a police CSP. They said they were going to court, but he insisted they must bring his lawyers before going.
“So they pounced on him; there were eight of them who pounced on him, and they were led by a police CSP
“They tried to drag him out of the cell, but he insisted he could not be dragged out without his clothes. Right now, his right hand is twisted. They broke his hand. It was learnt that a unit from the IGP monitoring unit led by DCP Akin Fakorede carried out the operation, but the CSP reportedly works under Muyiwa Adejobi, the Force spokesman.”
Sowore had accused the police of intimidation and abuse of power after being detained on Wednesday evening.
SaharaReporters reported on Wednesday that Sowore had arrived at the Force Headquarters in Abuja carrying a travel bag, as he honoured a controversial invitation from the Inspector General of Police’s Monitoring Unit over a petition reportedly filed against him.
Sowore, who arrived at exactly 12:16 p.m., was accompanied by his lawyers, Barristers A.K. Musa and Marshal Abubakar, along with a crowd of supporters chanting anti-government and anti-Kayode Egbetokun songs.
His visibly packed travel bag contained personal essentials — including toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, clothing, books, and other items — a symbolic gesture suggesting he was prepared for possible detention.
Tensions escalated as members of the Take It Back Movement and other allied activist groups issued a two-hour ultimatum to the police to either release Sowore or face mass resistance.
Sowore had earlier rejected the police’s invitation, describing it as “defective and riddled with legal errors,” casting doubt on its validity.
The original allegation against him — “inciting disturbance,” a term not recognised under Nigerian law — was later replaced with “forgery and criminal defamation.”
In a post on his X handle on Wednesday, Sowore revealed that he was detained after honouring a police invitation. While in custody, he said he was served two petitions, which he claimed originated from what he described as the “illegal office of the IGP.”
He noted that the petitions were handed over by Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Akin Fakorede, a controversial former officer of the now-disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
Sowore said the first petition accused him of forgery, while the second was reportedly filed by one Bukola Yemisi Kuti, whom sources said was promoted to the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) due to her relationship with the Inspector General of Police.
The second petition accuses Sowore of"criminal defamation."
"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,’” he wrote on Wednesday.
Critics say the case reflects a pattern of state harassment against dissenting voices and further undermines public confidence in the rule of law.
