By Abigail Philip David
Human rights activist and Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, arrived at the Force Intelligence Department Headquarters in Abuja on Monday morning for questioning by the police.
Sowore arrived at 9:58 a.m. in response to a police invitation following a viral video he posted, alleging extortion by officers at a checkpoint in Lagos.
The police have accused Sowore of several offenses, including resisting and obstructing public officers, disobedience to lawful orders, cyberstalking, and acts allegedly intended to prevent arrests.
The invitation letter, signed by the Force Intelligence Department, read:
“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 summons, the Take It Back Movement, a group affiliated with Sowore, mobilized supporters on social media, calling for a protest at the Force Headquarters to denounce police extortion.
A flier shared on X (formerly Twitter) featured images of Sowore and the Inspector General of Police, accompanied by the slogan, “Occupy Force Headquarters.”
By Monday morning, heavily armed officers had barricaded roads leading to the Force Headquarters, with visible anti-riot measures in place to preempt any unrest.
As of the time of filing this report, Sowore was still undergoing questioning at the Force Intelligence Department, while the situation outside remained calm but tense, with increased police presence.
