Human rights activist and #RevolutionNow convener, Omoyele Sowore, appeared at the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday in response to a controversial police invitation. Arriving at exactly 12:16 p.m., Sowore was accompanied by his legal team — Barristers A.K. Musa and Marshal Abubakar — as well as dozens of supporters chanting anti-government slogans.
Notably, Sowore carried a fully packed travel bag containing essential items such as soap, toothpaste, a toothbrush, clothing, and books — a symbolic move suggesting he was prepared for possible detention.
The police invitation was reportedly issued by the Inspector General of Police’s Monitoring Unit in relation to a petition filed against Sowore. However, the activist had previously described the invitation as “legally defective,” raising concerns about its legitimacy.
Outside the police headquarters, tensions rose as members of the Take It Back Movement and other affiliated groups issued a stern two-hour ultimatum to authorities, demanding Sowore’s release or threatening to escalate their protests.
“If they don’t release Sowore, they should arrest all of us with him,” declared Princess Mikky, convener of #NUDE Nigeria. “We won’t leave this place. This is 12:16 p.m.; they have two hours.”
Rex Elanu of the Take It Back Movement also condemned the police action, describing the invitation as a “vendetta” driven by the Inspector General of Police. “This is another attempt to silence a voice that speaks truth to power,” he said. “We reject this witch-hunt and stand firm in the fight against injustice.”
The original accusation leveled against Sowore — “inciting disturbance” — was reportedly dropped and replaced with charges of “forgery and criminal defamation.” However, critics argue the new charges remain vague, and the police have yet to disclose the identity of the petitioner or present any formal legal documents.
Activists view the move as part of a broader pattern of state intimidation targeting dissenters, warning that such actions further erode public trust in the Nigerian justice system.
As the two-hour deadline looms, the situation at the police headquarters remains tense, with supporters vowing not to back down.
