Human rights activist and journalist Omoyele Sowore is once again heading to the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters in Abuja after receiving another summons—his second in less than a week.
The former presidential candidate and convener of the #RevolutionNow movement had only just been released from a controversial two-day detention that sparked nationwide outrage.
On August 6, Sowore had honoured a similar police invitation, accompanied by his legal team and supporters. The Inspector General of Police’s Monitoring Unit had summoned him over two petitions—one alleging cyberbullying, the other accusing him of forging a police document. Upon arrival, he requested to see the petitions before making any statement, a demand backed by his lawyers.
The police refused, tensions escalated, and by evening, Sowore found himself in custody.
The following day, he was reportedly assaulted while resisting a forced court transfer without his lawyers or proper clothing, sustaining an injury to his right hand. He alleged that police denied him medical care and kept him incommunicado.
Amnesty International condemned his detention as “a gross violation of human rights,” joining a wave of condemnation from activists, civil society groups, and political leaders including Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar, who called the arrest politically motivated.
Protests erupted in Abuja, Lagos, Osun, and Oyo, with demonstrators demanding his release. Social media lit up with hashtags like #FreeSowore and #StopPoliceBrutality. On August 8, after more than 48 hours in custody, Sowore was released.
Appearing with his arm in a sling, he thanked supporters but insisted there was nothing to celebrate, framing his release as the result of collective pressure rather than justice served.
Now, with the police summoning him once again, the activist is back at the Force Headquarters—an encounter that many fear could lead to a repeat of last week’s standoff.
