JUST IN: Omoyele Sowore released after 3 days in police custody

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has released human rights activist and politician Omoyele Sowore after nearly three days in detention.

Sowore announced his release on Friday night via his verified social media accounts and addressed supporters live on Facebook.

In a post, he said, “Nigeria Police Force has capitulated to the demands of the revolutionary movt, I have been released from unjust, illegal & unwarranted detention. However, it is nothing to celebrate, but thank u for not giving up! #RevolutionNow.”

Earlier, the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Special Intervention Squad (SIS), CP Abayomi Shogunle, explained the reasons for Sowore’s detention during a press briefing in Abuja. He stated that Sowore was held over two petitions filed against him: one concerning alleged forgery of a police document published online, and the other relating to cyberbullying.

CP Shogunle disclosed that Sowore refused to provide a statement during interrogation, even in the presence of his lawyers, which legally allows the police to continue their investigation. “The same law that gives him the right to remain silent also gives the police the responsibility to follow due process,” he said.

The police commissioner assured that Sowore’s rights were respected and offered to allow protesters to visit the detention facility to verify his treatment. Sowore was invited to the Force Headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday by the Inspector General of Police Monitoring Unit.

Since his detention, supporters across Nigeria have protested in Lagos, Abuja, Osun, and Oyo states, demanding his release. Sowore recently led protests advocating better welfare for retired police officers and criticized a recent police promotion exercise.