Garba Mohammed
Human rights activist and 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has been released from police custody.
Sowore announced his release in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday evening, just hours after his supporters staged protests at the Force Headquarters in Abuja. Similar demonstrations were also held in Lagos, Osun, and Oyo states.
“I have been released from unjust, unwarranted, and unlawful detention,” he wrote. While stressing that there was “nothing to celebrate,” the Sahara Reporters publisher expressed gratitude to those who stood by him, adding, “You’ve all seen the power of unity.”
The activist was arrested on Wednesday after honouring a police invitation. According to the Commissioner of Police for the Special Intervention Squad, CP Abayomi Shogunle, Sowore was detained for refusing to make a statement during interrogation.
His release marks the end of a 48-hour detention that had sparked public outrage and nationwide solidarity protests.