The Amilcar Cabral Ideological School Movement (ACIS-M) has raised alarm over what it described as the forced detention, physical assault, and secret relocation of activist and publisher, Omoyele Sowore, while in police custody.
In a statement signed by its National Youth Coordinator, Majekodunmi O. Ebhohon, the group said that at about 6:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 7, 2025, a team of nine officers, eight of them armed led by a Chief Superintendent from the Inspector-General of Police Monitoring Unit, entered Sowore’s cell at the Force Intelligence Department in Abuja under the pretext of taking him to court.
ACIS-M alleged that when Sowore lawfully requested to see the charges against him and contact his legal counsel, he was physically assaulted, resulting in a fractured arm. He was reportedly taken to an undisclosed location, with no information provided about his condition or whereabouts.
The group said the development came just a day after Sowore had honoured an invitation by the same police unit, where he was allegedly denied access to the complaint or petition filed against him.
ACIS-M linked the incident to Sowore’s recent activism, including leading a nationwide protest by retired police officers demanding fair pensions, and spearheading the #EgbetokunMustGo campaign, which challenged the extension of Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun’s tenure and accused him of abuse of office.
The group described the incident as a violation of Sowore’s constitutional rights, particularly Sections 35 and 36 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantee personal liberty, access to legal representation, and protection from inhuman treatment.
ACIS-M called for Sowore’s immediate and unconditional release and demanded a transparent investigation into the conduct of the officers involved. The movement also called for independent medical care for the injured activist and a recommitment to the rule of law by the Nigerian Police Force.
They urged civil society, democratic institutions, and the public to resist what they described as “lawlessness within state institutions” and push for full accountability.
Read the full statement
STATEMENT FROM THE AMILCAR CABRAL IDEOLOGICAL SCHOOL MOVEMENT (ACIS-M)
ON THE FORCED DETENTION AND ASSAULT OF OMOYELE SOWORE IN POLICE CUSTODY
Our attention has been drawn to an extremely disturbing incident involving the treatment of Mr. Omoyele Sowore while in police custody.
At 06:00 hours on Thursday, 7 August 2025, a police unit led by a Chief Superintendent from the IGP Monitoring Unit entered Mr. Sowore’s cell at the Force Intelligence Department, Abuja.
The team comprising nine officers, eight of them armed claimed they were taking him to court.
Upon his lawful request to see the charges against him and contact his legal counsel, Mr. Sowore was physically assaulted. The attack resulted in a fractured arm, after which he was moved to an unknown destination, without transparency or due process.
This action occurred just one day after Mr. Sowore had been invited by the same IGP Monitoring Unit on Wednesday, 6 August, yet was denied access to a copy of the complaint or petition(s) against him.
These acts do not stand in isolation.
Only two weeks ago, Mr. Sowore led nationwide protests by retired police officers demanding fair pension entitlements. Prior to that, he spearheaded the #EgbetokunMustGo campaign, which publicly challenged the legality of the tenure extension of the current Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and called attention to the IGP’s abuse of office.
We at the Amilcar Cabral Ideological School Movement (ACIS-M) are convinced that these recent attacks constitute politically motivated persecution. The timing, the denial of access to legal defense, the physical assault, and the secretive transfer are all markers of intent to intimidate and silence Mr. Omoyele Sowore.
We are equally convinced that this is not only a violation of Mr. Sowore’s rights, it is a litmus test for every Nigerian’s freedom. It is a direct assault on Sections 35 and 36 of the Nigerian Constitution, which guarantee the rights to personal liberty, legal representation, and protection from inhuman treatment.
If left unchallenged, this incident will embolden lawless actors within state institutions, reinforce the use of violence as a tool of governance, and erode what remains of public trust in our democratic and legal systems.
ACIS-M demands the immediate and unconditional release of Mr. Omoyele Sowore.
We further call for:
- A transparent and immediate investigation into the actions of all officers involved;
- Prompt and independent medical care for Mr. Sowore;
- Firm assurances that legal and constitutional norms will guide all further proceedings.
The conduct of the Nigerian Police must be reviewed not only in light of this event, but as a systemic issue affecting civil liberties, press freedom, and public accountability.
We call on all well-meaning Nigerians, civil society actors, and defenders of democratic norms to resist this injustice and demand full accountability.
