Human rights activist and publisher, Omoyele Sowore, arrived at the Force Intelligence Department Headquarters in Abuja on Monday for questioning by the police.
Sowore, who arrived at 9:58 a.m., responded to an invitation from the police following the viral video he posted, which allegedly showed officers extorting money at a checkpoint in Lagos.
The activist was summoned to answer multiple allegations, including resisting and obstructing public officers, disobedience to lawful orders, cyberstalking, and actions allegedly intended to prevent arrests.
The invitation letter from the Force Intelligence Department of the Nigeria Police Force read in part:
“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 prominently.
“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 response to the police summons, a group known as the Take It Back Movement circulated a flier on social media, calling for a protest against police extortion at the Force Headquarters.
The flier quickly gained traction on X (formerly Twitter), featuring images of Sowore alongside the Inspector General of Police, with bold red text reading, “Occupy Force Headquarters.”
By early Monday morning, roads leading to the Force Headquarters were barricaded by heavily armed officers in anti-riot gear.
This increased security presence appeared to be a precautionary measure in response to the planned demonstration.
As of the time of filing this report, Sowore remained at the Force Intelligence Department for the scheduled interview, while the situation outside the complex was tense but under control.
