Sowore Assaulted By Eight Police Officers At FID Abuja For Demanding Lawyers, Clothes Before Secret Relocation

SaharaReporters had earlier reported that Sowore was secretly transferred from the Force Intelligence Department (FID) of the Nigeria Police Force in Abuja, where he was detained on Wednesday after honouring an official invitation.

Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, was reportedly assaulted by no fewer than eight police officers early Thursday morning before being moved to an undisclosed location.

SaharaReporters had earlier reported that Sowore was secretly transferred from the Force Intelligence Department (FID) of the Nigeria Police Force in Abuja, where he was detained on Wednesday after honouring an official invitation.

A source confirmed on Thursday morning that the activist was taken from the FID premises around 6 a.m. and relocated to an unknown destination.

Providing further details, the source said: “They invaded Sowore’s cell at 6 am this (Thursday) morning; the police officers were led by a police CSP. They said they were going to court, but he insisted they must bring his lawyers before going.

“So they pounced on him; there were eight of them who pounced on him, and they were led by a police CSP

“They tried to drag him out of the cell, but he insisted he could not be dragged out without his clothes. Right now, his right hand is twisted. They broke his hand. It was learnt that a unit from the IGP monitoring unit led by DCP Akin Fakorede carried out the operation, but the CSP reportedly works under Muyiwa Adejobi, the Force spokesman.”

Sowore had accused the police of intimidation and abuse of power after being detained on Wednesday evening.

SaharaReporters reported on Wednesday that Sowore had arrived at the Force Headquarters in Abuja carrying a travel bag, as he honoured a controversial invitation from the Inspector General of Police’s Monitoring Unit over a petition reportedly filed against him.

Sowore, who arrived at exactly 12:16 p.m., was accompanied by his lawyers, Barristers A.K. Musa and Marshal Abubakar, along with a crowd of supporters chanting anti-government and anti-Kayode Egbetokun songs.

His visibly packed travel bag contained personal essentials — including toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, clothing, books, and other items — a symbolic gesture suggesting he was prepared for possible detention.

Tensions escalated as members of the Take It Back Movement and other allied activist groups issued a two-hour ultimatum to the police to either release Sowore or face mass resistance.

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