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Sowore Allegedly 'Man-handled' Inside Cell After Honouring IGP Invitation
https://osazuwaakonedo.news/sowore-allegedly-man-handled-inside-cell-after-honouring-igp-invitation/07/08/2025/
#Issues #Igp #Police #Sowore ©August 7th, 2025 ®August 7, 2025 7:21 pm Human rights activist and founder of SaharaReporters news network, Omoyele Sowore has been reportedly ‘man-handled’ on Thursday early morning inside police cell by officers from the Inspector General of Police, IGP Monitoring Unit, after the journalist honoured the invitation sent him from the office of the Inspector General of Police for a reason not stated, but, the media personnel working with Omoyele Sowore in a statement on Thursday, made available through the verified personal social media handles of Sowore; said that the police presented two petitions against Sowore over alleged forgery and defamation of character, adding that, some police officers from the IGP monitoring unit as early as 6am on Thursday entered Sowore cell at the Force Intelligence Department in Abuja, with alleged pretence to take the media publisher to court, but, when the journalist demanded to see the charges against him, he was allegedly handled roughly by a team of armed policemen, this, Barrister Adeyanju Deji petitioned the President of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, demanding the immediate dismissal of the IGP, Kayode Egbetokun for allegedly abusing his office by thus using his high ranking office in the Nigeria Police Force to settle personal scores, although the Nigeria Police Force has not reacted to these allegations, but, the Force in a press release on Thursday afternoon, apparently made statements in relation to the current matters involving the detained media publisher, Omoyele Sowore; by insisting and stating in the press statement that the recent promotions in the Nigeria Police Force was based on merit, and not selective, accusing an unnamed online platform of allegedly sponsoring deliberate falsehood to tarnish the image of the Force, while also calling on officers and men of the Force to desist from lobbying to get promoted, saying, the IGP has warned that any police personnel caught lobbying to get promotion will be made to face disciplinary action. #OsazuwaAkonedo
https://osazuwaakonedo.news/sowore-allegedly-man-handled-inside-cell-after-honouring-igp-invitation/07/08/2025/
#Issues #Igp #Police #Sowore ©August 7th, 2025 ®August 7, 2025 7:21 pm Human rights activist and founder of SaharaReporters news network, Omoyele Sowore has been reportedly ‘man-handled’ on Thursday early morning inside police cell by officers from the Inspector General of Police, IGP Monitoring Unit, after the journalist honoured the invitation sent him from the office of the Inspector General of Police for a reason not stated, but, the media personnel working with Omoyele Sowore in a statement on Thursday, made available through the verified personal social media handles of Sowore; said that the police presented two petitions against Sowore over alleged forgery and defamation of character, adding that, some police officers from the IGP monitoring unit as early as 6am on Thursday entered Sowore cell at the Force Intelligence Department in Abuja, with alleged pretence to take the media publisher to court, but, when the journalist demanded to see the charges against him, he was allegedly handled roughly by a team of armed policemen, this, Barrister Adeyanju Deji petitioned the President of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, demanding the immediate dismissal of the IGP, Kayode Egbetokun for allegedly abusing his office by thus using his high ranking office in the Nigeria Police Force to settle personal scores, although the Nigeria Police Force has not reacted to these allegations, but, the Force in a press release on Thursday afternoon, apparently made statements in relation to the current matters involving the detained media publisher, Omoyele Sowore; by insisting and stating in the press statement that the recent promotions in the Nigeria Police Force was based on merit, and not selective, accusing an unnamed online platform of allegedly sponsoring deliberate falsehood to tarnish the image of the Force, while also calling on officers and men of the Force to desist from lobbying to get promoted, saying, the IGP has warned that any police personnel caught lobbying to get promotion will be made to face disciplinary action. #OsazuwaAkonedo
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NewsTranscript
00:00Human rights activist and founder of Sahara Reporters News Network, Omiyele Saware has been reportedly, manhandled, on Thursday early morning inside police cell by offices from the Inspector General of Police, IGP Monitoring Unit, after the journalist honoured the invitation sent him from the office of the Inspector General of Police for a reason not stated, but, the media personnel working with Omiyele Saware in a statement on Thursday,
00:28made available through the verified personal social media handles of Saware, said that the police presented two petitions against Saware over alleged forgery and defamation of character, adding that, some police officers from the IGP Monitoring Unit as early as 6am on Thursday entered Saware cell at the Force Intelligence Department in Abuja, with alleged pretense to take the media publisher to court, but, when the journalist demanded to see the charges against him,
00:57he was allegedly handled roughly by a team of armed policemen, this, barrister Adi Anjudeji petitioned the President of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tanubu, demanding the immediate dismissal of the IGP,
01:11Kiyode Egbetokan for allegedly abusing his office by thus using his high-ranking office in the Nigeria Police Force to settle personal scores,
01:20although the Nigeria Police Force has not reacted to these allegations, but, the force in a press release on Thursday afternoon,
01:28apparently made statements in relation to the current matters involving the detained media publisher,
01:34Omiyele Saware, by insisting and stating in the press statement that the recent promotions in the Nigeria Police Force was based on merit,
01:43and not selective, accusing an unnamed online platform of allegedly sponsoring deliberate falsehoods to tarnish the image of the force,
01:51while also calling on officers and men of the force to desist from lobbying to get promoted,
01:56saying,
01:57the IGP has warned that any police personnel court lobbying to get promotion will be made to face disciplinary action.
02:05According to the post published via Saware social media handles,
02:09the media team of the publisher said,
02:11This morning at 6am,
02:13a police team led by a chief superintendent of police from the IGP monitoring unit forcibly gained entry into Omiyele Saware's cell at the Force Intelligence Department in Abuja,
02:25claiming they were taking him to court.
02:27The team of nine officers, including eight heavily armed personnel,
02:31handled Saware roughly when he asked to see the charges and notify his lawyers,
02:36breaking his arm in the process,
02:38before taking him to another police facility.
02:40The media team stated.
02:43In another post,
02:44the media said,
02:45the notorious former SARS officer,
02:47DCP Akin Fakurede presented two petitions to Saware from the illegal IGP's office,
02:54one alleged forgery and the second written by Bukola Yemisi Kuti,
02:58who was promoted to ACP because she's mistress,
03:01alleges,
03:02criminal defamation.
03:04Saware had before honoring the police invitation on Wednesday said in a number of posts,
03:09previous day that.
03:11The IGP monitoring unit has scheduled my interview for tomorrow at 11am,
03:16yet they have refused to provide a copy of the purported petition against me.
03:21It is now clear that their intention is to conceal the sinister plan of the illegal IGP and continue operating in darkness.
03:28Despite this,
03:30I will honor the invitation,
03:32but not alone.
03:33I will be going with the full house.
03:36To all our revolutionary comrades,
03:38as always,
03:39we move together.
03:41Let every freedom fighter,
03:43every citizen of conscience,
03:44every voice of resistance assemble early tomorrow at the Nigeria Police Force headquarters in Abuja.
03:50Revolutiono,
03:52Egbetokan must go,
03:54they say the illegal IGP spoke today and sent fresh threats against us.
03:59We heard that the illegal inspector general of police,
04:02Kiyode Egbetokan,
04:03has issued fresh threats.
04:06But,
04:06even his voice betrays him.
04:08His voice was cracked by incompetence,
04:11weighed down by immorality,
04:13nepotism,
04:14favoritism,
04:15tribalism,
04:16it was worn thin by the burden of failed leadership.
04:20We are Nigerian citizens who have faced down tyrants,
04:23dictators,
04:24and power drunk men in and out of uniform.
04:27We've survived worse,
04:29and we've conquered.
04:30No amount of intimidation,
04:32propaganda,
04:33or empty threats can shake our resolve or derail our desire for a better,
04:37just,
04:38and dignified society.
04:40A luter continuer,
04:42the Nigeria Police Force in a statement signed and made,
04:45available by the force spokesperson,
04:47DCP Olumiyu Adijobi,
04:49said,
04:50the Nigeria Police Force has observed with concern the growing wave of lobbying and unofficial
04:55requests directed at the inspector general of police and the police service commission by
05:00certain offices seeking special promotions.
05:03This surge was triggered by the misinformation being spread by certain media platforms following
05:08the recent approval of accelerated promotions for a number of deserving offices who have
05:13distinguished themselves through exemplary service.
05:17The force wishes to categorically state that these accelerated promotions were not arbitrary
05:22but were part of a well-structured reward system set up by the police leadership,
05:27aimed at recognizing offices who have demonstrated outstanding performance,
05:32uncommon bravery,
05:33professional excellence,
05:34and commitment to duty in the offices who benefited with those who met the standardized guidelines
05:39for such accelerated promotion.
05:41The recent exercise does not signify the commencement of a general or indiscriminate special promotion
05:47scheme.
05:48In light of recent misleading reports sponsored by a particular online platform suggesting that
05:54the police force has initiated arbitrary promotions,
05:57the Nigeria Police Force firmly cautions the public to disregard such falsehoods.
06:03These reports are baseless, misleading,
06:05and intended to undermine the integrity of the force's promotion process.
06:09The NPF remains committed to transparency, merit, and due process in all personnel decisions.
06:17Furthermore,
06:18officers are strongly cautioned against lobbying or attempting to influence the promotion process
06:24through unofficial means.
06:26Such conduct is unethical,
06:28undermines the principles of meritocracy and professionalism,
06:31and will attract severe disciplinary action in accordance with extant laws and regulations.
06:36The Nigeria Police Force reiterates its commitment to a promotion system anchored on integrity,
06:43verifiable merit,
06:44and honorable service to the nation.
06:47Officers and men are hereby urged to remain dedicated,
06:50maintain discipline,
06:52and continue to discharge the duties with pride and distinction,
06:55the police stated.
06:57Human rights lawyer,
06:59Barrister Adyanjudeji
07:00in a reaction to the photograph of Omelene Saware's hand wrapped with bandages at the police detention facility,
07:07said,
07:08Egbetokan,
07:09the most useless IGP in the history of Nigeria police has ordered the detention of Saware for criticizing his incompetent and favoritism promotions and other numerous infractions.
07:20How do you promote your personal staff arbitrarily just like that?
07:24The Police Act 2020 and Regulation 367 of the Nigeria Police Regulations forbids a police officer from settling personal scores and vendetta via the instrumentalities of their offices
07:37but Egbetokan is too shameless to care and continue to abuse his office.
07:41President Tanubu must sack him now.
07:45Egbetokan must go.
07:47In an open letter and petition to President Bola Ahmed Tanubu,
07:51Adyanjudeji said and in quotes that,
07:53Your Excellency,
07:55with utmost respect for the office you occupy,
07:57I write to draw your attention to the deepening rot within the Nigeria Police Force, NPF,
08:03which,
08:04if left unchecked,
08:05threatens to completely erode public trust and destroy the very
08:09institution meant to protect us all.
08:11Under the watch of the current Inspector General of Police,
08:15the force has become increasingly compromised by a pattern of conduct that has brought the institution into disrepute.
08:22The NPF has become personalized and weaponized,
08:26with growing reports of the force being used to settle personal scores and intimidate private citizens.
08:32The civic space has shrunk under a climate of fear,
08:35peaceful expression,
08:37association,
08:37and lawful dissent are now treated with suspicion or outright hostility by an institution that should protect these freedoms.
08:45More disturbingly,
08:46the men and women who serve in the police force continue to operate under conditions that are nothing short of inhumane.
08:54Reports of nepotism,
08:55favoritism,
08:56and ethnic promotions above competence and institutional framework has become order of the day.
09:01Officers lack adequate welfare,
09:04modern equipment,
09:06proper housing,
09:07and fair remuneration resulting into the recent police protest.
09:11The morale of the average policeman is low,
09:14and yet they are still expected to perform optimally.
09:17A force that is deprived of dignity cannot enforce the law with dignity.
09:21The NPF urgently needs reform,
09:24but reform cannot happen under leadership that undermines its very principles.
09:29It is in light of this that I respectfully urge you to act decisively by relieving the current Inspector General of Police of his duties
09:36and appointing a leader with a clear commitment to constitutional order and human rights.
09:41Yours faithfully,
09:43Deji Adiyanju Esquire,
09:45Punch Newspaper reported that,
09:47the Coalition of United Political Parties and the Aroa Youth Ambassadors have called for the immediate and unconditional release of pro-democracy activist and journalist,
09:57Omiele Saware,
09:58following his recent arrest by the Nigeria police force.
10:02In separate statements on Thursday,
10:05both groups condemned the arrest,
10:07describing it as a violation of Saware's constitutional rights
10:10and an abuse of police authority.
10:13National Secretary of CUPP,
10:16Peter Ame,
10:16said Saware's detention flouts Section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution,
10:22which guarantees freedom of expression and opinion.
10:25He said the police had turned into an instrument of oppression and called for accountability.
10:30We strongly condemn the arrest of Omiele Saware by the Nigerian police,
10:35an act that flouts Section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution,
10:39which guarantees the fundamental right to freedom of expression,
10:43including the freedom to hold opinions and share ideas without interference.
10:48This arrest is not only unjust but also a disturbing misuse of police power,
10:53turning an institution meant to protect Nigerians into a tool for oppression and personal vendettas.
10:58This arrest is a blatant abuse of power and an affront to the principles of justice and accountability enshrined in the Constitution.
11:07The Nigerian police owe Nigerians a clear explanation for Saware's arrest.
11:12Denying him his right to bail is indefensible and further exposes the misuse of authority to silence dissent.
11:18We demand his immediate and unconditional release,
11:22and if the Inspector General believes there is a case to answer,
11:25Saware should be charged to court without delay, he stated.
11:29The Aroa Youth Ambassadors,
11:31in a separate statement signed by their national coordinator,
11:35Yahya Abdullahi,
11:36also condemned Saware's continued detention and gave the federal authorities a 72-hour ultimatum
11:42to release him or face protests across the 19 northern states and the federal capital territory.
11:49The group said Saware's arrest was part of a pattern of harassment,
11:53alleging that state institutions were being misused to suppress dissent.
11:57They warned that a continued clampdown on critics could erode democratic values and civic freedoms.
12:02In line with this, the Aroa Youth Ambassadors,
12:07hereby issue a 72-hour ultimatum to the Nigerian authorities
12:11to release Saware or face nationwide protests in all 19 northern states and the federal capital territory.
12:18We will mobilize peaceful mass action in solidarity with Saware
12:22and in defense of the fundamental rights of all Nigerians to freedom of expression and assembly.
12:28We call on all progressive forces,
12:30civil society groups,
12:32student unions,
12:34labor movements,
12:35and the general public
12:36to rise in unity against the growing tyranny and misuse of state power.
12:41Nigeria belongs to us all
12:43and no government has the right to crush dissent in a democratic society,
12:47the statement added.
12:49The police are yet to issue an official response to the reason for Saware's arrest.
12:54Osasua Pondedo,
12:56bringing you the news in a more digital way.
12:59you
13:00and
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