By Okafor Joseph Afam

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has allegedly devised plans to detain and transfer human rights activist Omoyele Sowore from Abuja to Lagos on Monday after he honors a police invitation.

This revelation is contained in a letter dated January 23, 2025, and signed by CP Ibitoye Rufus Alajide, Commissioner of Police (OPS), on behalf of the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force Intelligence Department (FID), Abuja.

Sowore’s invitation stems from a viral video of him confronting police officers involved in extortion at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Access Road in Lagos. The letter states Sowore is being investigated for resisting public officers, disobedience to lawful orders, cyberstalking, and other offenses. He has been directed to appear on January 27, 2025, for questioning at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.

However, SaharaReporters gathered that the investigation is a smokescreen for a personal vendetta by Egbetokun. Sources claim the IGP harbors resentment towards Sowore for repeatedly calling him the “Illegal IG” in reference to his tenure extension beyond the mandatory retirement age.

In December 2024, Sowore criticized Egbetokun in a social media post, warning that his actions could trigger another #EndSARS protest. He also called for the release of Olamide Thomas, a nurse detained for allegedly insulting President Bola Tinubu’s son, Seyi.

“Kayode Egbetokun, the illegal IG of the Nigeria Police Force, is working tirelessly towards making the next #EndSARS inevitable,” Sowore wrote.

Sources revealed that Egbetokun has been monitoring Sowore’s activities, looking for an opportunity to act against him. They alleged that the IGP had instructed senior officers, including DIG Dasuki D. Galadanchi of the Force Intelligence Department, to find ways to implicate Sowore.

The viral video reportedly worsened the situation, as Sowore’s evidence led to the arrest and confession of police officers operating illegal checkpoints. Despite this, the police hierarchy allegedly conspired to use the incident as a pretext to detain him.

Insiders claim that once Sowore is detained in Abuja, plans have been made to transfer him to Lagos for trial, where stringent bail conditions would be imposed to ensure his prolonged detention.

Sowore, however, has vowed to honor the police invitation and face whatever charges are brought against him.

This unfolding development highlights the ongoing tension between Sowore and the Nigerian police leadership, with many questioning the motives behind the investigation and its implications for press freedom and human rights advocacy in Nigeria.