OPERATIVES of the Nigerian Police Force have arrested human rights activist and politician, Omoyele Sowore.
Sowore was arrested at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, November 9, where he had witnessed the continuation of trial of the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
Earlier, he had posted on his social media pages that he was delighted to reunite with the IPOB leader who has been in detention since 2021 over treason and other charges.
Sowore, the publisher of Sahara Reporters, an online news platform, had organised and led the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest in Abuja on Monday, October 20, 2025.
The Police whisked away Kanu’s lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, and a few others during the protest.
Eyewitnesses said a police officer approached Sowore at the court on Thursday and informed him that he was under arrest on the order of the new Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Miller Dantawaye.
Reports indicate that members of Sowore’s legal team, led by human rights lawyer Tope Temokun, confronted the officers to demand an explanation. However, the officers insisted that they were acting on “direct instructions” from the commissioner and proceeded to take Sowore away in a waiting vehicle.
Although the reason for his arrest was not immediately disclosed, sources suggested it might be linked to the demonstrations organised by the activist under the banner of the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow campaign. The protest, held earlier this week, had been forcefully dispersed by security operatives in Abuja.
The protest, which began around the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) headquarters, was met with a heavy security response. Officers of the Nigeria Police Force, the military, and other agencies fired teargas and gunshots into the air to disperse the demonstrators, causing panic across the Central Business District.
The Police whisked away Kanu’s lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, and a few others during the protest.
The protest came amid heightened security tension in the capital city. Earlier that morning, a massive deployment of security personnel had caused gridlock along major entry routes into Abuja, including Nyanya, Karu, and Kubwa, as officers mounted checkpoints to enforce court orders restricting protests around sensitive government buildings such as the Aso Rock Villa, the National Assembly Complex, Force Headquarters, and Eagle Square.
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, had directed the FCT Police Commissioner to ensure strict enforcement of the restriction order. The police warned that any group attempting to stage demonstrations near these areas would face punishments.
In response, Sowore issued a statement urging officers to respect citizens’ rights to peaceful assembly, warning that any use of force or unlawful arrest would have consequences. He accused the authorities of trying to suppress civic expression and demanded accountability for any form of brutality.
Sowore, a former presidential candidate and convener of the #RevolutionNow movement, has been a prominent voice in Nigeria’s civil rights struggle. He has faced multiple arrests and legal challenges since 2019 over his activism and criticisms of successive administrations.
In recent weeks, he intensified his campaign for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, meeting with political figures, including former President Goodluck Jonathan, to discuss the matter. Sowore argued that Kanu’s continued detention despite court rulings ordering his release violated fundamental human rights and undermined the rule of law.
Kanu was first arrested in 2015 on charges of treasonable felony and incitement. He was granted bail in 2017 but fled the country after a military raid on his home in Abia State. He was later re-arrested in Kenya in 2021 and returned to Nigeria under controversial circumstances. Despite several court judgments, including an Appeal Court ruling discharging him of terrorism charges in 2022, he remains in the custody of the State Security Service.
Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong condemned Sowore’s arrest, describing it as “an embarrassment to the judicial system.” In a post on X, he wrote, “The arrest of Omoyele Sowore at the Federal High Court in Abuja moments ago is preposterous. The police and the Tinubu administration are making a mockery of our judiciary. He should be freed immediately.”
As of the time of filing this report, the police have not issued an official statement on the reason for Sowore’s arrest or his current location.
The incident adds to a growing list of clashes between civil rights groups and security agencies in Abuja, highlighting ongoing tensions over the handling of peaceful demonstrations and the government’s response to calls for justice and accountability.
A reporter with the ICIR
A Journalist with a niche for quality and a promoter of good governance