Nigerians Question Police Neutrality After Sowore’s Arrest During #FreeNnamdiKanu Protest

By SpringNewsNG Media Limited October 24,2025

The arrest of human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has sparked nationwide outrage and renewed debates about police impartiality in Nigeria.

Sowore, the convener of the #RevolutionNow movement and founder of Sahara Reporters, was reportedly arrested on Thursday at the Federal High Court, Abuja, for allegedly violating a court order that banned the #FreeNnamdiKanu protest.

Confirming the arrest, Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, said Sowore was detained “in the spirit of fair play” since other protesters had already been charged to court.

“He was arrested in contravention of a court order. If we charge some protesters to court and leave the person who led them, that would be unfair. In the spirit of fairness and justice, Sowore was arrested today,” Hundeyin told journalists.

According to the police, 14 protesters were earlier arrested in connection with the same demonstration, which called for the release of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu. Hundeyin added that Sowore’s name came up repeatedly during interrogations, prompting his detention.

The police also assured that Sowore would be arraigned in court without delay.

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Public Reactions and Growing Concerns

Sowore’s arrest has provoked sharp criticism from Nigerians, civil rights groups, and political observers who accused the police of selective enforcement of justice and acting as “tools of political intimidation.”

Speaking to SpringNewsNG, a legal practitioner, Barrister Joy Onwubiko, described the action as “a clear abuse of power and an affront to citizens’ constitutional rights to peaceful protest.”

“If the same police can overlook politicians who loot billions of naira and violate court orders, but are quick to clamp down on peaceful protesters, then the question of who they serve becomes obvious,” she said.

A civil rights activist, Moses Okon, added:

“The Nigerian Police Force seems to have become an arm of political control rather than a protector of the people. When citizens protest against injustice, they’re labeled criminals. But when corrupt politicians walk free, the police look away.”

On social media, Nigerians expressed anger using hashtags such as #FreeSowore, #JusticeForProtesters, and #WhoDoThePoliceServe. Many users accused the government of silencing voices calling for accountability.

One X (Twitter) user wrote:

“This arrest is not about law and order; it’s about fear. The police are being used to suppress dissent.”

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A Deepening Trust Crisis

This incident adds to the growing distrust between Nigerians and the police. Analysts believe that the frequent arrests of activists and journalists reflect a shrinking civic space in the country.

Public policy commentator Dr. Uche Nwokorie told SpringNewsNG that Nigeria risks “institutional collapse” if the police continue to act on political directives rather than upholding justice.

“The police should be neutral. Their allegiance should be to the Constitution and the people, not to politicians in power,” he said.

For now, Nigerians continue to ask tough questions:

• Who do the police serve — the people or the politicians?
• Why are peaceful protesters treated as criminals while corrupt leaders enjoy immunity?
• What does fairness mean when justice only favors the powerful?

Until these questions are answered, many fear that the arrest of Omoyele Sowore may not just be about one man—but a symbol of a nation still struggling to define justice and democracy.