Former presidential candidate and activist, Omoyele Sowore, was arrested on Thursday by armed policemen shortly after appearing at the Federal High Court in Abuja for the trial of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
Sowore, a vocal supporter of Kanu’s release, was reportedly accosted by security operatives who insisted he accompany them to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command.
Asked about the reason for his arrest, one of the officers said they were acting on an instruction from the Commissioner of Police. “The commissioner of police said we should bring you to the office,” the officer said.
Sowore questioned the legality of the arrest, pointing out that he had not received any formal invitation. He, however, insisted his lawyer accompany him before being taken away in a police van.
The Sahara Reporters publisher has been a leading figure in the #FreeNnamdiKanu protests, which have intensified in recent weeks across Abuja and other cities.
Earlier this week, twelve persons, including Kanu’s younger brother, Emmanuel, and one of his lawyers, Alloy Ejimakor, were arrested and remanded in Kuje Prison following a demonstration demanding Kanu’s release.
According to the First Information Report (FIR) filed by police before a Chief Magistrate Court in Kuje, the protesters were accused of “inciting disturbance” and “breaching public peace” in defiance of a court order.
The charge read: “That on 20th day of October, 2025, you (1). Barrister Aloy Ejimakor (2). Prince Emmanuel Kanu, (3). Joshua Emmanuel, (4). Bishop Wilson Anyalewechi, (5). Barrister Okere Kingdom Nnamdi, (6). Clinton Chimeneze, (7). Gabriel Joshua, (8). Isiaka Husseini, (9). Onyekachi Ferdinand, (10). Amadi Prince, (11). Edison Ojisom and (12). Godwill Obiama, all male adults of FCT Abuja were arrested by a team of security agents in different locations within FCT while involving yourselves in inciting disturbance, and breach of public peace in disobedience to a court order, denying other citizens the freedom of movement, disrupting free flow of traffic while chanting war songs and requesting for the release of Nnamdi Kanu who is undergoing lawful trial at the Federal High Court in a manner that threatens national security.”
The FCT Police Command has yet to issue an official statement on Sowore’s arrest.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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