By Muhammad Mamman
The Nigeria Police Force has justified the arrest of activist and politician Omoyele Sowore, saying the move was aimed at ensuring fairness and due process in the ongoing prosecution of individuals involved in Monday’s protest in Abuja.
Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the development on Thursday, noting that Sowore’s arrest was not politically motivated but part of standard investigative procedure.
According to Hundeyin, the police acted to maintain balance and transparency in the investigation, following reports that Sowore played a coordinating role in the demonstration which led to minor disruptions in parts of the Federal Capital Territory.
“The arrest was carried out to guarantee fairness in the handling of the case and to ensure that all parties are treated equally before the law,” he said.
Mr Sowore, a former presidential candidate and publisher of Sahara Reporters, has long been a vocal critic of government policies and a prominent figure in Nigeria’s pro-democracy movement. His detention has sparked fresh debate about civic freedoms and the state’s tolerance for dissent.
Human rights advocates and civil society groups have called for his immediate release, warning that repeated arrests of opposition voices undermine democratic values.
As of Thursday evening, police authorities had yet to confirm whether Sowore would be charged or released on bail.
