By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has strongly condemned the ongoing detention of human rights activist Omoyele Sowore, warning that such actions could signal a disturbing return to an era of authoritarianism in Nigeria, where dissent is brutally suppressed.
In a statement issued by Joe Ajaero, the NLC President, the union described Sowore as a “moral compass” for the nation, stressing that his continued persecution is a dangerous indication of democratic backsliding.
“We condemn in the strongest terms the repeated arrests and prolonged detentions of Sowore, a distinguished civil rights advocate. The situation is made even more concerning if reports that he was injured during his most recent arrest are accurate,” Ajaero said.
The NLC further warned that the sustained targeting of activists could jeopardize the rights of all Nigerians.
“If the government can detain Sowore with such impunity, no journalist, no trade unionist, no activist, and no ordinary citizen will be safe in the future. We cannot allow Nigeria to regress into a dictatorship where fear and repression replace freedom and the right to voice opposition,” Ajaero added.
The union also urged the Nigerian government to adhere to constitutional principles, particularly the right to free speech and association, and emphasized that the government, like any citizen, must follow the law without exception.
The condemnation follows reports of Sowore suffering injuries during an alleged attempt by police to transfer him from detention to court on Thursday. Amnesty International claimed that officers from the Force Intelligence Department (FID) assaulted him early in the morning and took him to an undisclosed location in Abuja.
“As a result of the assault, Sowore sustained a serious injury to his left hand. To attempt to drag him through a judicial process without informing his lawyer is a clear violation of the rule of law,” said the rights organization.
A Facebook post from Sowore’s verified account, managed by an associate, corroborated the account, stating that a police team led by a CSP from the IGP Monitoring Unit forcibly entered Sowore’s detention cell, broke his right hand, and transported him to an undisclosed location.
Sowore, who had responded to a police invitation, was reportedly detained shortly thereafter.
Former Vice President and 2023 PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar also condemned the arrest, calling it a “shameful abuse of power.”
“This is a personal vendetta, not law enforcement. The IGP cannot be both the complainant and the one executing the arrest,” Atiku wrote on his official Facebook page.
He reminded the authorities of Nigeria Police Regulation 367, which prohibits police officers from initiating legal actions in matters related to their public duties. “This must end. Sowore’s only offense is speaking out against the government’s corruption, nepotism, and misrule. This isn’t just about Sowore; it’s about every Nigerian who dares to challenge power,” Atiku concluded.
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