By Atoyebi Nike
Amnesty International Nigeria has condemned the detention of journalist and human rights activist Omoyele Sowore, describing it as arbitrary and politically motivated. The rights group is demanding his immediate and unconditional release.
Sowore, who is also the publisher of Sahara Reporters, was detained on Wednesday after he arrived at the Force Headquarters in Abuja to honour a police invitation. The Nigeria Police Force is reportedly investigating him over allegations of “forgery and inciting disturbance,” through its Inspector General of Police Monitoring Unit.
In a statement posted late Wednesday on its official X (formerly Twitter) account, Amnesty International described the charges as “bogus,” accusing Nigerian authorities of using state power to stifle dissent.
“The Nigerian authorities must immediately and unconditionally release Sowore and drop all bogus and politically motivated charges against him,” the statement read. “Authorities should listen to critics instead of seeking to gag them through outright abuse of power.”
Amnesty further stated that Sowore’s rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly must be respected, adding that the activist has faced repeated human rights violations since 2019.
“Since 2019, Sowore has been facing arbitrary detentions and unfair trials solely for the peaceful exercise of his human rights,” the organization added.
Amnesty also recalled that it had declared Sowore a Prisoner of Conscience in November 2019 following his earlier arrest, calling his case a symbol of Nigeria’s crackdown on peaceful dissent.
The latest detention has sparked widespread criticism and online protests.
