Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has raised serious allegations against the Nigeria Police Force, claiming that he was brutally assaulted while in police custody, resulting in a broken right hand.
Sowore, who contested the 2023 presidential election under the African Action Congress (AAC), was detained in Abuja on Wednesday, following an invitation for questioning linked to a petition said to have been filed by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun.
However, the activist’s social media handles on Thursday morning carried a disturbing update that has since sparked public concern and condemnation.
According to the post, Sowore was assaulted at around 6:00 a.m. in his detention cell at the Force Intelligence Department (FID) in Abuja, by a team of officers allegedly led by a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) from the IGP’s Monitoring Unit.
At about 6AM, a police team, headed by a CSP from the IGP Monitoring Unit, forcibly entered Omoyele Sowore’s detention cell at the FID in Abuja, broke his right hand, and transported him to an undisclosed location, the post read.
The alleged assault has raised questions about the treatment of political dissidents and the use of force within police detention facilities.
The secrecy surrounding Sowore’s current whereabouts has further deepened concerns, with family members, supporters, and rights groups demanding immediate clarification from police authorities.
This latest development adds to a long history of confrontations between Sowore and Nigeria’s security agencies. The journalist and political activist has been a vocal critic of successive governments and has faced multiple arrests, detentions, and court cases in recent years, often attracting national and international scrutiny.
As of the time of filing this report, the Nigeria Police Force had yet to issue an official response to the allegations.
Repeated efforts to reach the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO) for comments proved unsuccessful.
Sowore’s legal team is reportedly preparing to take urgent legal action, while human rights organizations are calling for transparency, accountability, and the immediate medical attention of the activist.
