In a statement on Thursday, the Union accused the IGP of abusing his position by allegedly using the Force to settle personal scores, particularly against government critics.

The Yoruba Union, known as Ìgbìnmó Májékóbájé Ilé-Yorùbá, has issued an ultimatum to President Bola Tinubu, demanding the immediate dismissal of the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, over the controversial arrest of human rights activist Omoyele Sowore.

In a statement on Thursday, the Union accused the IGP of abusing his position by allegedly using the Force to settle personal scores, particularly against government critics.

The group condemned what it described as a rising culture of repression and intimidation under President Tinubu's administration.

“We can no longer watch in silence while state institutions are turned into instruments of oppression. The police under Egbetokun have been weaponised against innocent Nigerians,” the statement read.

The group warned that failure to remove Egbetokun from office would result in coordinated protests at Nigerian embassies across the globe.

It also called on international bodies, including the United Nations (UN) and the European Union (EU), to take urgent action by sanctioning the Nigerian government over its increasing human rights violations.

According to the Union, the latest detention of Sowore is only one example of how dissenting voices are being silenced.

They also accused President Tinubu of shielding allies and using key security institutions like the police and Department of State Services (DSS) to clamp down on activists.

“President Tinubu must put national interest above personal loyalties. Failure to act now will only escalate tensions both at home and abroad,” the group warned.

In a statement released on Thursday by the Convener, Olusola Badero, and signed by the Home Director, Princess Balogun, the Yoruba Union accused IGP Egbetokun of unlawfully detaining Sowore despite the activist honoring a police invitation.

The group alleged that a petition written by one of the IGP’s mistresses was used as a tool to go after Sowore.

The Union stated that Egbetokun and his allies cannot act as judge and jury in a case involving themselves, especially while using public funds to pursue personal grudges.

“Nigeria has become a banana republic under Tinubu’s watch. We have become a laughingstock internationally. No one respects the Nigerian Police Force anymore, as those in power have reduced it to a political tool for silencing critics and stifling free expression,” the statement read.

“Tinubu has allowed nepotism to flourish. Egbetokun now acts like a demigod, unchecked and unrestrained, even though he has surpassed the statutory retirement age and should not be occupying the position of IGP.”

The Union warned that failure to remove Egbetokun would clearly indicate President Tinubu’s intention to use him for questionable roles in the 2027 general elections. It further cautioned the government against continued crackdowns on civic space and the rights of Nigerian citizens.

“We are calling on President Tinubu to sack IGP Egbetokun with immediate effect, or we will mobilise to occupy Nigerian embassies worldwide and report all atrocities committed by Egbetokun and his enablers, including President Tinubu, to the United Nations and the European Union,” it said.

Ìgbìnmó Májékóbájé Ilé-Yorùbá noted that rather than being persecuted, Sowore deserves to be celebrated for advocating for the promotion and improved welfare of thousands of Nigerian police officers.

Instead, Egbetokun views him as an enemy worthy of intimidation.

“Arresting and detaining Sowore is a grave mistake. Egbetokun is digging his own grave. Sowore will never bow to intimidation; he will continue to expose the atrocities committed by the IGP,” the group said.

The Union called on all well-meaning Nigerians and its members both at home and abroad to protest at Nigerian embassies worldwide and to petition the UN and the EU over IGP Egbetokun’s alleged human rights abuses and misuse of the police force for personal scores.

“We are giving IGP Egbetokun 24 hours to release Sowore and all other critics who have been illegally arrested and detained. We are also petitioning the governments of the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada to impose visa bans on Egbetokun and his family members,” the group said.

The group added that it would not allow Egbetokun to tarnish the image of the country, especially the Southwest, in the eyes of the international community.

“Nigeria is not a banana republic,” the statement emphasised.