Police After Me For Exposing ‘Extortion’ At Lagos Checkpoint — Sowore
Political activist and publisher of SaharaReporters, Omoyele Sowore, has raised an alarm that the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) is allegedly planning to arrest and prosecute him over a viral video he posted exposing alleged corruption at a police checkpoint in Lagos State.
Sowore, who is also the founder and two-time presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2019 and 2023 general elections, claimed that he has been invited by the police for questioning regarding the video. The video, which showed police officers allegedly extorting money from motorists at a Lagos checkpoint, gained significant traction on social media.
On Thursday, Sowore took to his Facebook page to share details of his conversation with a senior police officer, who he said informed him that charges were being prepared against him. Sowore noted that he was being targeted for his role in exposing the police officers’ alleged extortion practices.
“I have just concluded a conversation with the senior Nigeria Police Force officer in Abuja, who requested my presence for questioning regarding an extortion video I did at a police ‘checkpoint’ in Lagos, which prompted the police hierarchy to launch a manhunt for me,” Sowore wrote.
He added that the officer told him the “charges” were not yet fully prepared but would be forthcoming. Sowore, however, expressed concern over the potential consequences of his actions, which he described as part of his continued criticism of government policies and law enforcement practices in Nigeria.
Sowore ended his post with his signature #RevolutionNow hashtag, which has become a rallying cry for his activism against corruption and perceived injustice within the Nigerian government.
The allegations of police extortion at Lagos checkpoints have become a recurring issue in Nigeria, often drawing criticism from civil rights groups and the public. Sowore’s case has now drawn attention to the risks faced by activists who expose misconduct, with many watching closely to see how the authorities will respond.
