An activist, Henry Nwodo, was arrested by armed police officers on Sunday night at Ruga-Fulani village in the Jahi 2 area of Abuja.
Naija News understands that the arrest, linked to a protest against alleged police extortion and harassment, occurred at approximately 8:30 p.m.
Eyewitness accounts reveal that Nwodo was apprehended by five armed officers and forced into a black, unmarked vehicle.
“The police officers arrested him at Ruga-Fulani market immediately he got down from the bike,” Miss Rose, an eyewitness, told PREMIUM TIMES, adding that “he (Nwodo) was beaten, his phone seized while he was resisting, but they immediately pushed him into a waiting black car and drove off.”
Nwodo is a member of the Take It Back Movement and a key organiser of the #OccupyPoliceHQ protest planned for Monday, 27 January, at the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters in Abuja.
His housemate, Emiola Osifeso, said Nwodo was on his way to purchase dinner at the night market when the incident occurred.
“He was the only one arrested in the area. Eyewitnesses told us that the car used by the police to take him away had been parked there for hours before Nwodo’s arrival on a bike,” Osifeso said.
He further stated that “His arrest is connected to tomorrow’s protest at the police headquarters,” adding that “some residents said the vigilante officers in the area outed him to the police.”
Sowore’s Involvement and Police Invitation
The planned protest stems from activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore’s campaign against police extortion.
Sowore, who shared a video exposing alleged extortion at a police checkpoint in Lagos, is scheduled to appear before the police on Monday.
In a post on X.com, Sowore confirmed receiving an official invitation letter from the Force Intelligence Department of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
Sharing a picture of the official invitation letter in a post on X.com on Friday, Sowore wrote, “The PoliceNG invitation has arrived, I will be there on Monday as requested.”
The letter from the Force Intelligence Department outlined allegations against Sowore, including resisting public officers, disobedience to lawful orders, cyberstalking, and reckless acts.
The document further instructed him to report for an interview at the Force Intelligence Department in Abuja and allowed him to attend with legal representation.
The former presidential candidate, who previously disclosed that the police had launched a manhunt for him, stated on social media, “I have been informed that the Nigeria Police Force is searching for me. I am currently in Abuja and available at their convenience.”