Human rights activist and vocal government critic, Omoyele Sowore, has accused the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) of plotting to detain him following his criticism of the extension of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun’s tenure.

Biztellers reports that Sowore arrived at the Force Intelligence Headquarters in Abuja on Monday at 9:58 a.m., responding to an invitation from the police.

The summons was issued after Sowore uploaded a viral video alleging extortion by police officers at a checkpoint in Lagos.

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The activist was questioned over multiple allegations, including resisting and obstructing public officers, disobedience to lawful orders, cyberstalking, and actions allegedly aimed at preventing arrests.

In a Facebook post, Sowore accused the police of relying on “rehashed information” sourced primarily from the internet.

He revealed that he refused to provide a written statement during the interrogation, citing the lack of a clearly defined crime.

“The police relied on a rehashed set of information sourced mostly from the internet. When I asked them to identify the location of the alleged ‘crime’ in Lagos, they provided a vague response, stating it was along the airport road,” Sowore said.

The activist further alleged that the police intended to detain him and transfer him to Lagos for what he described as a “kangaroo trial.”

“I chose not to provide a written statement, as we informed the Police team that, in the absence of a defined crime, the process to determine such was unnecessary,” he explained.

“They took a break and later informed me that they were awaiting instructions from their superiors. It seems their plan is to detain me and take me to Lagos for a kangaroo trial.”

Sowore maintained that his case stemmed from his criticism of IGP Egbetokun, whose tenure, he argued, was illegally extended.

“I made it clear to the team that the matter revolves around my publicly stated view that the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, who is due for retirement and clearly tired, had his tenure extended illegally. I maintain that we are entering a promising era, and our fight for justice will persist. #RevolutionNow,” Sowore added.

The police have yet to issue an official response to Sowore’s allegations or confirm the next steps in the case.

Chikakore, a community in Kubwa, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), was rocked by a violent attack on Sunday night, when at least 20 armed bandits stormed the area, kidnapping five residents, including an entire family.

According to police sources, the assailants struck at around 11pm, targeting the Health Centre extension area of Chikakore.

The attackers barged into the homes of their victims, abducting Adesiyan Akinropo, a Southwesterner, his wife, son, and a visitor.

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They also kidnapped another neighbor, bringing the total number of people taken to five.

In the midst of the raid, a woman was struck on the head with the butt of a gun, causing severe bleeding. She was rushed to the hospital for treatment following the brutal assault.

“The bandits kidnapped the man (Akinropo), his wife, and his son, their visitor. The bandits then took away another neighbor to make five persons. They also injured a woman on the head with the butt of the gun. She bled profusely and had to be rushed to the hospital,” a police source said

While the police operatives from the Byzahin division responded to the incident, the assailants had already escaped by the time they arrived at the scene.

Residents expressed dissatisfaction with the delayed response, revealing that the police took over an hour to reach the area.

“The bandits have resumed attacks in Chikakore. We need a police division here in this community. We have land and a five-bedroom apartment already built to accommodate the police, but there is no deployment yet,” a resident lamented.

This attack follows a similar one earlier in January, when bandits fleeing from Kankara Local Government Area in Katsina State detonated explosives in Kuchibuyi, a neighboring area.

The explosion, which targeted an Islamic school, claimed at least two lives, according to the police.

A community meeting is scheduled for Monday, where local leaders and police officials will discuss the ongoing security concerns in Chikakore.

Efforts to reach the FCT police command for comment were unsuccessful, as spokesperson Josephine Adeh did not respond to calls.

Omoyele Sowore, the convener of the #RevolutionNow Movement and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), arrived at the Force Headquarters in Abuja on Monday to honor a police invitation.

Sowore, who arrived with his lawyer and supporters around 9:45 a.m., was summoned for questioning following a viral video he recorded, which accused police officers of extorting motorists on the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Access Road in Lagos.

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The invitation, dated January 23, 2025, was signed by CP Ibitoye Rufus Alajide on behalf of the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force Intelligence Department (FID).

The police summons, which was served to Sowore, stated that he was being investigated for several offenses, including resisting and obstructing public officers, disobedience to lawful orders, intimidation, reckless acts, refusal to assist public servants, and cyberstalking.

The letter directed Sowore to report to Room 212 of the FID Complex in Abuja at 10 a.m. and emphasized that he had the right to bring legal representation.

The controversy stems from a video Sowore posted on social media, which shows him confronting police officers at a checkpoint.

In the footage, Sowore accuses the officers of creating traffic jams and extorting motorists.

When Sowore’s vehicle approached the checkpoint, the officers demanded that he park, prompting an exchange between Sowore and the officers.

“You are not supposed to be causing traffic on the airport road. We are not parking. Go and bring your Oga. You people should calm down,” Sowore can be heard saying in the video.

Despite Sowore’s insistence, the officers initially blocked his car, creating a standoff.

Eventually, one officer instructed his colleagues to allow Sowore to proceed, but another officer muttered, “God punish you.” Sowore quickly responded, “God punish you too,” before driving off.

The video went viral, sparking public outrage and prompting the police to launch a manhunt for Sowore.

Reports indicate that the police’s actions were influenced by persistent appeals from Force Spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi, who urged the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to take action against Sowore for allegedly obstructing the officers.

Sowore’s appearance at the police headquarters also comes amid another legal battle.

He is scheduled to appear in court on February 4, 2025, in a cybercrime case filed by Senator Ned Nwoko, who recently defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).