JUST IN: Omoyele Sowore Freed After Two Days in Police Detention

Human rights activist and SaharaReporters publisher Omoyele Sowore has been released from police custody after two days of detention. Sowore was arrested on Wednesday over allegations of forgery and inciting disturbance but was freed on Friday evening.

Confirming his release on Facebook, Sowore said the Nigeria Police Force yielded to pressure from the revolutionary movement. He described his detention as unjust and illegal but urged supporters not to celebrate yet, thanking them for their persistence.

While still in custody, Sowore accused the police, led by Inspector-General Kayode Egbetokun, of breaking his right wrist. In a live video streamed from the Force Headquarters in Abuja, he showed a bandaged hand and claimed he had been denied proper medical care. He alleged that police brought journalists and protesters to see him in custody as a public relations move rather than providing genuine treatment.

The police denied any brutality. Commissioner Abayomi Shogunle, in charge of the Special Intervention Squad, stated that Sowore was being held over two petitions—one accusing him of forging a police document published online, and the other of cyberbullying. Shogunle said Sowore refused to make a statement and insisted that due process was being followed.

Amnesty International condemned the treatment of Sowore, describing the charges as politically motivated and calling for his immediate release and medical attention. Nigerian Labour Congress President Joe Ajaero criticized the arrest as a violation of constitutional rights, emphasizing that freedom of speech and association are fundamental.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also condemned the police actions, calling the case a shameful abuse of power and alleging that Sowore was targeted for speaking out against injustice.

Sowore’s lawyer, Tope Temokun, described the arrest as retaliation for his client’s criticism of the police chief and questioned the police’s role as both complainant and investigator. One petition was reportedly filed by an associate of the IGP, accusing Sowore of defamation.