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The publisher of Sahara Reporters and human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, has been released from police custody, hours after the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) explained the reasons for his detention.
Sowore confirmed his release in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday evening, accusing the police and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, of acting unlawfully.
“I have been released from unjust, unwarranted, and unlawful detention,” he wrote. “It is nothing to celebrate, but I can’t do without thanking you all for not giving up. You’ve all seen the power of unity.”
The former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) was arrested on Wednesday after honouring an invitation from the IGP Monitoring Unit at the Force Headquarters in Abuja. He remained in detention until Friday, prompting protests in Lagos, Abuja, Osun, and Oyo states by his supporters, who demanded his immediate release.
Earlier on Friday, the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Special Intervention Squad, Abayomi Shogunle, addressed journalists and protesters in Abuja, stating that Sowore’s arrest followed his alleged refusal to make a statement during police interrogation, despite being confronted with two petitions against him.
According to Shogunle, the petitions accused Sowore of forging a police document—which he allegedly published online—and engaging in cyberbullying.
“The two petitions were shown to him in my presence, alongside his lawyers,” Shogunle said in a video streamed by Sahara Reporters. “One concerns forgery of a police document, and the other relates to cyberbullying. The law is clear—you have a duty to explain how you obtained such a document. But he refused to make a statement, even in the presence of his lawyers.”
Shogunle emphasised that Sowore was not coerced to speak and that the police were following due process.
“The same law that gives him the right to remain silent also imposes responsibilities on the police when a suspect chooses not to talk,” he explained. “We cannot simply release a suspect because he has decided to keep mute. Procedures under the law are being followed.”
When asked by a lawyer why Sowore was being held beyond the constitutionally stipulated 24 hours, Shogunle insisted that the detention was lawful.
“We are professionals, and we are complying with the law. Everything required in keeping someone in custody is being observed,” he said.
The police chief also offered to allow a few protesters to see Sowore in custody to verify that he was not being mistreated.
“He came here voluntarily, but the moment he refused to make a statement, his arrest was ordered. The law is being followed regarding his apprehension and detention,” Shogunle added.
Sowore, a prominent pro-democracy campaigner, has recently been vocal in criticising the police over a promotion exercise and led a protest demanding improved welfare for retired police officers
