The groups demanded immediate and unconditional release of Sowore, the convener of the #RevolutionNow movement and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC).
Two prominent human rights groups, the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) and the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), have condemned what they described as the “vengeful” and “violent” detention of human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, by the Nigeria Police Force.
The groups demanded immediate and unconditional release of Sowore, the convener of the #RevolutionNow movement and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC).
In a statement issued on Thursday, the Executive Director of RULAAC, Okechukwu Nwanguma, expressed outrage over what he called the “violent treatment” of Sowore by officers of the Force Intelligence Department (FID) in Abuja earlier in the day.
“The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) strongly condemns the reported violent treatment of activist, Omoyele Sowore, by officers of the Nigeria Police Force at the Force Intelligence Department (FID) in Abuja earlier today, August 7, 2025,” Nwanguma said.
SaharaReporters earlier reported that 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 FID of the Nigeria Police Force in Abuja, where he was detained on Wednesday after honouring an official invitation.
It was gathered that around 6:00 a.m. on Thursday, a police team led by a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) from the Inspector-General of Police Monitoring Unit stormed Sowore’s detention cell, violently dragged him to an unknown location, and in the process, broke his hand.
Nwanguma said, “This disturbing act of cruelty and excessive force not only violates Sowore’s fundamental rights but also signals a troubling descent into vengeful and authoritarian policing under the leadership of the current Inspector-General of Police.
“The pattern of conduct suggests a personal vendetta rather than lawful and professional policing.”
“We remind the Nigeria Police Force that no one is above the Constitution — and that the rights to dignity, due process, and freedom from torture or degrading treatment are guaranteed under both Nigerian and international law,” Nwanguma warned.
RULAAC demanded the immediate cessation of all forms of physical and psychological abuse against Sowore, urgent medical care for his injuries, full respect for his legal rights, timely information on his whereabouts, and an independent investigation into the alleged police brutality, with sanctions for those found culpable.
“The Inspector-General of Police must be called to order by the Nigerian government,” Nwanguma said.
“The IGP Monitoring Unit, which increasingly operates as a tool for repression and vendetta, must be reined in immediately. Nigeria is a constitutional democracy, not a police state.”
He reaffirmed solidarity with Sowore and urged the authorities to act swiftly to guarantee his safety, dignity, and freedom from further abuse.
In its separate statement, the SERAP echoed RULAAC’s concerns and called for Sowore’s immediate release and the dropping of any charges against him.
“The Nigerian authorities must immediately and unconditionally release journalist Omoyele Sowore who was reportedly detained yesterday by the Nigerian police. Authorities must drop all charges against him,” SERAP stated.
“The Nigerian police must end the persecution of Sowore solely for the peaceful exercise of his human rights.”
SERAP noted that the activist’s detention constitutes a breach of the Nigerian Constitution and the country’s obligations under international human rights instruments, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
“The Nigerian Constitution and these legally binding human rights treaties unequivocally prohibit arbitrary detention,” the statement read.
“No one should ever be arrested or detained solely for the peaceful exercise of their constitutionally and internationally recognized human rights, including the right to freedom of expression.”
SERAP demanded that the Nigerian authorities must end this travesty of justice and uphold the human rights of everyone in the country.
“The authorities must immediately release Sowore, end this travesty of justice and uphold the human rights of everyone in the country,” it said.
Sowore has faced repeated arrests and detentions by Nigerian security agencies in recent years, often in connection with his activism and public criticism of government policies.
