Omoyele Sowore, a prominent Nigerian activist and former presidential candidate, was arrested by armed policemen outside the Federal High Court in Abuja on October 23, 2025, shortly after attending the trial of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Sowore, a vocal advocate for Kanu’s release, was taken into custody by security operatives acting on orders from the Commissioner of Police
Asked what his offence was, one of the officers explained that they were executing an order from the Commissioner of Police.
“The commissioner of police said we should bring you to the office,” the officer added.
Even though he queried the absence of a letter of invitation to him, Sowore, who maintained that his lawyer must accompany him, was taken away in a police van.
The Guardian reported that Sowore was on Monday part of the #FreeNnamdiKanu campaign pressing for Kanu’s release from the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), where he has been held since June 2021.
The protest, which began around the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Maitama, at about 7:00 a.m., turned chaotic when security personnel opened fire and deployed teargas to disperse the demonstrators.
Protesters regrouped near Utako Market, but the police and soldiers followed with more rounds of teargas and gunfire into the air, forcing traders and passersby to flee.
Shops, offices and business outlets in the area were hurriedly shut down as the air filled with teargas. Some traders sustained minor injuries while attempting to escape.
Security operatives, including soldiers, police and Department of State Services (DSS) personnel, mounted barricades at major roads, restricting access to the Three Arms Zone, which houses the Presidency, National Assembly and Supreme Court.
Police authorities, however, defended their action, citing a subsisting Federal High Court order restricting demonstrations around sensitive government buildings, including the Presidential Villa, National Assembly, Force Headquarters, Court of Appeal, Eagle Square, and Shehu Shagari Way.
Sowore led a protest on October 20, 2025, demanding Kanu’s release from detention, which turned chaotic with security personnel deploying teargas and gunfire.
Lawyer Inibehe Effiong condemned the arrest as “preposterous”
The arrest highlights escalating tensions surrounding Kanu’s detention and the government’s response to public dissent.
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