Nigeria Police Force has refuted claims that its men ‘man-handled’ SaharaReporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore inside cell after the media personnel honoured the invitation sent him from the office of the Inspector General of Police, IGP over allegations of forgery and criminal defamation of characters, with the Police stating in a press release signed and made available after the detained media publisher was released on Friday night that Sowore allegedly brought bandages alongside other personal items when he came to the station to honour the police invitation, and when the IGP ordered internal investigation to ascertain if truly the media publisher was tortured as claimed, Sowore refused to allow medical personnel from the Nigeria Police Force check the alleged injury on his hand he had claimed he suffered as a result of the police personnel brutality while inside cell, meanwhile, as at the time, Sowore was released on Friday night, bandages were still seen wrapped around one of his hands as seen in the video while he was coming out from the IGP Rapid Response Team, IRT police detention facilities in Abuja as stated by Sowore in the video.
Shortly after his release from detention facilities at the IGP Rapid Response Team on Friday, Sowore posted on his social media handles and said that; “Freedom is never given. It is not a gift from the powerful, nor a token handed down by the oppressor.
It must be seized with raw courage, with clarity, and with collective will. Those who sit in power never give it up willingly. That’s why we take it back. Because freedom is ours and we will fight until it is no longer a dream but a lived reality”.
Nigeria Police Force in a statement issued on August 8, 2025 and made available to the public, said; “The Nigeria Police Force is compelled to address and decisively correct the recent wave of disinformation being peddled in connection with the lawful arrest and detention of Mr. Omoyele Sowore—a figure known for manipulating public narratives and weaponizing propaganda to malign state institutions and their leadership, particularly the office of the Inspector-General of Police.
Contrary to the falsehoods being circulated, Mr. Sowore was arrested based on credible, corroborated allegations involving criminal offences such as forgery, cyberstalking, and other infractions currently under active investigation. The arrest was effected in full compliance with extant legal provisions, and with strict adherence to constitutional safeguards, due process, and the rights of the suspect.
To be clear, Mr. Sowore was released on bail well within the 48-hour constitutional window, in accordance with the provisions of Section 35(4) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
He is fully aware of the nature of the allegations against him and has been duly informed of the charges. He is expected to appear before a court of competent jurisdiction in the coming days to answer to the accusations in a lawful and transparent judicial process.
Equally false and grossly misleading is the narrative suggesting that Mr. Sowore was tortured or subjected to any form of inhuman or degrading treatment while in custody. The Nigeria Police Force maintains a zero-tolerance policy for torture, in alignment with the provisions of the Anti-Torture Act, 2017, and in fulfilment of Nigeria’s obligations under applicable international human rights instruments.
The viral image of Mr. Sowore with a bandaged arm has been mischievously presented to mislead the public and stir unwarranted outrage. For the record, the bandage was part of his personal belongings at the time he honoured the Police’s invitation—prior to his arrest and detention.
In any case, upon receiving the report that Mr. Sowore was later seen wearing the bandage while in custody, the Inspector-General of Police promptly ordered an internal investigation to ascertain how he had access to it during detention—particularly in light of his consistent refusal to undergo medical examination by the independent teams deployed by the Police.
This proactive step underscores the IGP’s unwavering commitment to transparency, professionalism, and strict adherence to established custodial protocols.
In the spirit of accountability and transparency, the Force promptly responded to the claims of brutality by dispatching a medical team—led by the Medical Director of the Muhammadu Buhari Police Hospital—to conduct an independent examination on 7th August 2025.
Mr. Sowore declined the evaluation. A second medical team, this time led by the Force Medical Officer, was sent on 8th August 2025, and again, access was denied by the suspect. These refusals are officially documented.
While the Police respect the individual’s right to decline medical assessment, the record must show that the opportunity for independent medical verification was twice provided and twice rejected.
Furthermore, his continued detention is not arbitrary; it is anchored on a valid remand order issued by a competent court of jurisdiction. Every action taken by the Nigeria Police Force in this matter has been underpinned by legal authority, devoid of malice, bias, or political undertones.
The Force urges the media, civil society actors, and the public to exercise greater diligence, restraint, and professional responsibility in their reporting.
Sensationalism, particularly when driven by those with personal vendettas against the Police leadership, poses a clear risk to public trust and the integrity of ongoing investigations.
The Nigeria Police Force reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the protection of human rights, respect for the rule of law, and the pursuit of justice without fear or favour.
No individual—regardless of their status, influence, or social media reach—is above the law. Further updates on this matter will be provided as investigations proceed in accordance with due process.
We had reported that the Human rights activist and founder of SaharaReporters news network, Omoyele Sowore has been reportedly ‘man-handled’ on Thursday early morning inside police cell by officers from the Inspector General of Police, IGP Monitoring Unit, after the journalist honoured the invitation sent him from the office of the Inspector General of Police for a reason not stated, but, the media personnel working with Omoyele Sowore in a statement on Thursday, made available through the verified personal social media handles of Sowore; said that the police presented two petitions against Sowore over alleged forgery and defamation of character, adding that, some police officers from the IGP monitoring unit as early as 6am on Thursday entered Sowore cell at the Force Intelligence Department in Abuja, with alleged pretence to take the media publisher to court, but, when the journalist demanded to see the charges against him, he was allegedly handled roughly by a team of armed policemen, this, Barrister Adeyanju Deji petitioned the President of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, demanding the immediate dismissal of the IGP, Kayode Egbetokun for allegedly abusing his office by thus using his high ranking office in the Nigeria Police Force to settle personal scores, although the Nigeria Police Force has not reacted to these allegations, but, the Force in a press release on Thursday afternoon, apparently made statements in relation to the current matters involving the detained media publisher, Omoyele Sowore; by insisting and stating in the press statement that the recent promotions in the Nigeria Police Force was based on merit, and not selective, accusing an unnamed online platform of allegedly sponsoring deliberate falsehood to tarnish the image of the Force, while also calling on officers and men of the Force to desist from lobbying to get promoted, saying, the IGP has warned that any police personnel caught lobbying to get promotion will be made to face disciplinary action.