Amnesty International Nigeria has condemned the detention of human rights activist and Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, describing it as arbitrary, politically motivated, and a violation of his fundamental rights.
In a statement released late Wednesday on its official X handle, the rights group called on the Nigerian authorities to immediately and unconditionally free Sowore. It warned that the continued suppression of dissent poses a serious threat to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly in the country.
Sowore was at the Force Headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday after being invited by the Nigeria Police Force. The Inspector-General of Police Monitoring Unit is currently investigating him over allegations of forgery and inciting disturbance.
Amnesty International dismissed the allegations, calling them bogus and politically motivated. The organisation accused the police of manipulating the legal system to stifle dissent and intimidate critics of the government.
According to the statement, Nigerian authorities should drop all charges against Sowore without delay. Amnesty stressed that rather than silencing critics through what it described as abuse of power, the government should engage with dissenting voices and respect their right to speak freely and assemble peacefully.
The rights group noted that Sowore has faced repeated sham trials and other human rights violations since 2019. That same year, Amnesty International declared him a “Prisoner of Conscience” following his earlier detention. It described his case as emblematic of the wider crackdown on peaceful political dissent in Nigeria.
“The case of Sowore shows just how far the authorities in Nigeria can go to silence peaceful dissent,” Amnesty stated.
His latest detention has sparked widespread online outrage and protests. Hashtags such as #FreeSoworeNow and #RevolutionNow have gained traction across social media platforms, with users calling for his immediate release.
Several rights activists and civic organisations have joined the calls, accusing the Nigerian police of weaponising the law against free speech. They argue that such actions send a dangerous signal to other citizens and discourage legitimate political participation.
As of the time of this report, the Nigeria Police Force has not issued any official response to Amnesty International’s demands. The case continues to draw attention both locally and internationally, with concerns growing over the state of civil liberties in the country.
