Sowore Recounts Ordeal as Police Deny Torture Claims

The Nigerian Police have responded to claims made by human rights advocate and Sahara Reporter publisher, Omoyele Sowore, who alleged he was tortured during his detention.

In a press release issued by Force Public Relations Officer Olumuyiwa Adejobi on Friday, the Police refuted the allegations of torture or mistreatment concerning Sowore’s time in detention, characterizing the claims as intentional misinformation designed to damage the reputation of the police and its leadership.

 The Police explained that Sowore was arrested on charges of forgery, cyberstalking, and other criminal activities, asserting that he did not experience any mistreatment while in their custody.

According to the police, Sowore was detained and later released on bail within the legally mandated 48-hour time frame, emphasizing that there was no violation of his rights.

Sowore, who had been held at the Force Headquarters in Abuja since Wednesday after attending a summon from the IGP Monitoring Unit, confirmed his release via a Facebook post on Friday. He described his detention as “illegal and unjust.”

During his time in custody, Sowore shared a video that circulated widely, in which he alleged that the police had assaulted him, resulting in a broken hand.

“Since I came here yesterday, they broke my hand, they have not been able to bring a doctor, they brought a nurse.

“Instead of bringing the doctor, they went and brought the media. I was expecting it” he lamented in a live stream shared by Sahara Reporters on Facebook.