On Thursday evening, whispers began to spread that Nigeria’s Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), had ordered the release of detained activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore.
For many, the news brought a glimmer of hope. Sowore had been in police custody since Wednesday, after honouring a police invitation. But sources close to the matter told SaharaReporters that the so-called “release order” was nothing more than a calculated distraction—a move by the police to calm public anger and weaken momentum for a planned Friday protest.
“They’re worried about tomorrow’s protest,” one source revealed. “So they’re pushing rumours to douse the tension.”
By then, Sowore’s situation had already taken a troubling turn. After being moved from the Force Intelligence Department on Thursday, he was relocated to the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team facility at Old Abattoir in Abuja—sharing a cell with suspected killer herdsmen. This came just hours after he was reportedly beaten by at least eight officers, led by a Chief Superintendent of Police, and denied medical care.
When police eventually brought in a nurse, Sowore refused treatment, insisting he would only accept care from his personal doctor.
His arrest had been based on allegations of forgery and inciting public disturbance, charges his supporters say were vague and politically motivated—especially since one of the petitions reportedly came from the office of the Inspector-General of Police himself.
The backlash was swift. The Take It Back (TIB) Movement declared a nationwide protest for Friday, August 8, 2025, calling Sowore’s detention unlawful and accusing the police of political harassment. The group vowed to occupy police commands across the country until he is released.
“This is bigger than Sowore,” TIB National Coordinator Juwon Sanyaolu stated. “It’s about resisting the use of state power to silence dissent.”
The African Action Congress (AAC) spokesperson, Femi Adeyeye, echoed the warning, urging Nigerians to stand against what he described as “creeping authoritarianism.”
As civil rights groups, opposition figures, students, and workers prepare to hit the streets, the tension is palpable. Sowore’s detention has become more than a legal dispute—it’s now a rallying point in a growing fight against the perceived abuse of power in Nigeria.
