Omoyele Sowore, human rights advocate and leader of the #RevolutionNow Movement, has warned that the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, is unlawfully occupying his position and posing a serious threat to the Nigerian police force. In a recent social media post, Sowore accused Egbetokun of perpetrating significant human rights violations since his controversial appointment and illegal extension by President Bola Tinubu.
Sowore, who was a presidential candidate for the African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2023 elections, argued that Egbetokun’s tenure has been marked by troubling abuses, including the deadly suppression of #EndBadGovernance protests, the prosecution of minors for alleged treason, and the imprisonment of political critics under the influence of powerful elites. He specifically mentioned the cases of activist Dele Farotimi, who was allegedly abducted from Lagos to Ekiti, and musician Speed Darlington, who remains detained due to a personal dispute with fellow artist Burna Boy.
Sowore also highlighted the arrest of activist Abiodun Olamide Thomas, who was transferred to the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) in Abuja, allegedly at Egbetokun’s orders, after making critical posts about the IGP. He warned that if immediate action is not taken, IGP Egbetokun could cause irreparable damage to the Nigerian police.
This warning comes as the Take-It-Back Movement (TIB) reported that Thomas had been forcibly relocated to Abuja by the police, citing the illegal nature of the transfer and demanding her immediate release. TIB also condemned the continued human rights violations under Egbetokun’s leadership, urging for justice and accountability.
Sowore’s comments have sparked renewed calls for the removal of IGP Egbetokun, with critics fearing that his tenure could lead to further erosion of democratic freedoms and the rule of law in Nigeria.
Source: Sahara Reporters.