The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has strongly condemned the “repeated arrest and prolonged detention” of Omoyele Sowore, a prominent activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters, following his recent arrest by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
On Wednesday, Sowore had arrived at the NPF headquarters in Abuja to respond to an invitation from the Inspector-General of Police’s monitoring unit, triggered by a petition. However, upon arrival, he was immediately taken into custody and, as of the same day, remained detained.
The following day, Sowore publicly accused the police of physically harming him during his detention, alleging that they had broken his arm. This development has raised further concerns over his treatment by the authorities.
In response, NLC President Joe Ajaero issued a statement calling the situation “alarming,” especially considering reports that Sowore had sustained injuries while in custody. Ajaero questioned why authorities were resorting to harassment rather than allowing legal processes to run their course.
“If Sowore has violated any laws or offended any political figure, the authorities should follow due process and take the matter to court instead of resorting to this kind of harassment,” Ajaero stated, highlighting the need for accountability.
The NLC leader also expressed concerns over the frequency of Sowore’s arrests in 2025, asking, “How many times has Sowore been arrested this year?”
Ajaero reminded the government that the Nigerian constitution guarantees the fundamental rights of freedom of speech and freedom of association. He emphasized that these rights must be upheld at all times, regardless of political considerations.
“The NLC warns that silence in the face of such repression is complicity. If the state can arbitrarily detain Sowore today, no journalist, trade unionist, activist, or ordinary citizen is safe tomorrow,” the statement reads.
He further condemned the actions of the state, likening them to a return to the “dark days of dictatorship” where dissent is met with force, and freedom is replaced by fear. Ajaero also noted the damage such actions do to the government’s reputation both domestically and internationally, pointing out that it could give the impression that the government sees itself as above the law.
“We cannot allow Nigeria to slide back into the dark days of dictatorship, where fear replaces freedom, and dissent is met with brute force,” Ajaero warned. “Such behavior soils the government’s image before its citizens and the international community.”
The NLC president stressed the need for the government to respect the rule of law at all times, not just when it suits their interests. “Government, like all other citizens, should be law-abiding at all times,” Ajaero added.
He described Sowore as a “moral compass” whose treatment should not be dismissed lightly, regardless of differing opinions about him.
The NLC has called for Sowore’s immediate and unconditional release and for an end to the ongoing harassment of activists. They also demanded a strict adherence to the rule of law and a full commitment to the constitutional guarantees of free speech and peaceful assembly.
Sowore has been at odds with police authorities in recent months, particularly after criticizing the tenure extension of Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun and the poor welfare of retired police officers.
