It was observed that an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) was also stationed at a strategic location around the area on Friday morning. The heightened security measures come ahead of Sowore’s court appearance following his arrest on Thursday.
Heavy security presence has been observed in Kuje, Abuja, as the Nigeria Police mounted at least five checkpoints leading to the court where human rights activist and SaharaReporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, is expected to be arraigned.
It was observed that an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) was also stationed at a strategic location around the area on Friday morning. The heightened security measures come ahead of Sowore’s court appearance following his arrest on Thursday.
Sowore was arrested on Thursday on the orders of the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
His arrest was linked to his involvement in organising a protest demanding the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The outspoken activist, who has a long history of clashes with Nigerian authorities over his pro-democracy campaigns, has been a persistent critic of government policies and police conduct.
His supporters have condemned the latest arrest as an abuse of power and a deliberate attempt to silence dissenting voices.
Meanwhile, several civil society organisations have called for Sowore’s immediate release, urging the police to respect his fundamental rights. The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), Amnesty International Nigeria, and Yoruba Union have all described his arrest as unlawful and politically motivated.
SaharaReporters previously reported that the Nigeria Police Force provided “clarifications” on the arrest.
The police said that it was necessary to ensure fairness in the case involving the protesters who demanded the release of the detained IPOB leader.
Addressing journalists at the Force headquarters on Thursday, the police spokesperson, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed Sowore was arrested for allegedly leading protesters into a restricted area during the demonstration, which he claimed breached a court order.
Hundeyin emphasised that it would be unfair to charge some protesters in court while leaving out the person who led them.
“Sowore has been arrested by the Nigeria Police Force. You may ask why he was arrested. The reason is straightforward. The thirteen people previously arrested all mentioned that Sowore led them into the restricted area, in clear contravention of the court order,” Hundeyin explained.
He added that his arrest was to apply justice equally.
“If we move from there to charge some people to court and leave the person who led them to commit that act, more like their leader, the elite protester who told them and took them into the restricted area, that would not be fair,” he said.
The police spokesman assured that Sowore would not be detained beyond the legally stipulated period and would be arraigned promptly.
“Like the others, he wouldn’t spend time with us. He wouldn’t spend up to 24 hours with us. Once we wrap up the charges, he’s going to be prosecuted. In fact, if everything goes right, our plan is to ensure that he’s prosecuted today,” Hundeyin added
