The Nigeria Police Force has refuted allegations that human rights activist and Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, was tortured while in custody, insisting his arrest was linked to accusations of forgery, cyberstalking, and other offences.
According to the Force, Sowore was taken into custody and granted bail within the constitutionally mandated 48 hours, under lawful authority, without any breach of his rights.
Sowore, who had been at the Force Headquarters in Abuja since Wednesday after responding to an invitation from the IGP Monitoring Unit, confirmed his release in a Facebook post on Friday, describing his detention as “illegal and unjust.”
In a viral video filmed during his time in custody, Sowore claimed he was assaulted by officers.
“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 said during a live stream posted by Sahara Reporters.
However, in a statement on Friday signed by Force Public Relations Officer Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the police rejected the torture allegations, calling them a calculated attempt to discredit the Force and its leadership.
“The Nigeria Police Force is compelled to address and decisively correct the recent wave of disinformation being peddled in connection with the lawful arrest and detention of Mr. Omoyele Sowore—a figure known for manipulating public narratives and weaponising propaganda to malign state institutions and their leadership, particularly the office of the Inspector-General of Police.
“Contrary to the falsehoods being circulated, Mr. Sowore was arrested based on credible, corroborated allegations involving criminal offences such as forgery, cyberstalking, and other infractions currently under active investigation.
“The arrest was effected in full compliance with extant legal provisions, and with strict adherence to constitutional safeguards, due process, and the rights of the suspect.”
The statement also clarified that Sowore’s detention was backed by a valid court remand order.
“To be clear, Mr. Sowore was released on bail well within the 48-hour constitutional window, by the provisions of Section 35(4) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
“He is fully aware of the nature of the allegations against him and has been duly informed of the charges. He is expected to appear before a court of competent jurisdiction in the coming days to answer to the accusations in a lawful and transparent judicial process,” the statement said.
Responding to the widely circulated image of Sowore wearing a bandage, the police stated: “Equally false and grossly misleading is the narrative suggesting that Mr. Sowore was tortured or subjected to any form of inhuman or degrading treatment while in custody.
“The Nigeria Police Force maintains a zero-tolerance policy for torture, in alignment with the provisions of the Anti-Torture Act, 2017, and fulfilment of Nigeria’s obligations under applicable international human rights instruments.
“The viral image of Mr. Sowore with a bandage has been mischievously presented to mislead the public and stir unwarranted outrage.
“For the record, the bandage was part of his personal belongings at the time he honoured the police’s invitation—prior to his arrest and detention.
“In any case, upon receiving the report that Mr. Sowore was later seen wearing the bandage while in custody, the Inspector-General of Police promptly ordered an internal investigation to ascertain how he had access to it during detention—particularly in light of his consistent refusal to undergo medical examination by the independent teams deployed by the Police.
“This proactive step underscores the IGP’s unwavering commitment to transparency, professionalism, and strict adherence to established custodial protocols,” the statement read.
The Force added: “In the spirit of accountability and transparency, the Force promptly responded to the claims of brutality by dispatching a medical team—led by the Medical Director of the Muhammadu Buhari Police Hospital—to conduct an independent examination on 7th August 2025. Mr. Sowore declined the evaluation.
“A second medical team, this time led by the Force Medical Officer, was sent on 8th August 2025, and again, access was denied by the suspect. These refusals are officially documented. While the police respect the individual’s right to decline medical assessment, the record must show that the opportunity for independent medical verification was twice provided and twice rejected.”
The statement maintained that Sowore’s detention was lawful and devoid of political motives.
“The Force urges the media, civil society actors, and the public to exercise greater diligence, restraint, and professional responsibility in their reporting. Sensationalism, particularly when driven by those with personal vendettas against the Police leadership, poses a clear risk to public trust and the integrity of ongoing investigations,” it concluded.