The Youth Rights Campaign (YRC) has strongly condemned the arrest of Nigerian activist Abiodun Olamide Thomas, demanding her immediate and unconditional release from police custody.
Thomas, who is also known by her activist name “Horlarmidey Africano,” was taken into custody by the Nigeria Police Force on the morning of December 13, 2024, following orders from the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
Her arrest comes after months of vocal criticism against police excesses, including the actions of the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi.
The YRC, a prominent human rights advocacy group, has expressed outrage at the treatment of Thomas, accusing the Nigerian police of harassing her due to her continuous stand against police brutality and misconduct.
In a statement issued by Francis Nwapa, the National Secretary of YRC, the group condemned the “vindictive harassment” that Thomas has endured over the past few months.
“We condemn the sustained vindictive harassment of Nurse Abiodun Thomas by the Nigeria Police,” said Nwapa. “For several months, Thomas has been a target of the police, especially ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, for her criticism of police brutality and high-handedness.”
The arrest of Thomas is not an isolated incident. She has been an outspoken critic of police brutality in Nigeria, and her activism has drawn the ire of the police, particularly Adejobi, who has been publicly rebuked by Thomas for his statements and the police’s handling of protests.
Thomas, a nurse by profession, was involved in protests against police brutality during the 4th commemoration of the Lekki Toll Gate massacre on October 20, 2024. During that protest, Thomas was allegedly assaulted by the police, who also destroyed her phone and stole her money while she was in custody.
Since then, Thomas has been relentlessly vocal about the police’s actions, condemning the force for its role in suppressing peaceful protests. This has led to what Thomas describes as a personal vendetta against her, with the police targeting her, her family, and friends.
In an earlier interview with SaharaReporters, Thomas shared her concerns about her safety, alleging that ACP Adejobi had been personally targeting her. “I have always condemned police brutality, especially the false narratives spread by Adejobi,” Thomas said. “It seems he’s been looking for an opportunity to pick me up.”
She further explained that after the October 2024 protest, Adejobi had warned her that she had a case to answer and that she should turn herself in to the police, or they would come for her. “He has deployed men of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) to hunt me down,” Thomas added.
The YRC has also raised concerns about the broader implications of this arrest, calling out the use of state resources to silence dissenting voices. “The Nigeria Police Force must immediately end this impunity,” the group said, emphasizing that the police should not use their authority to settle personal scores.
The campaign group’s demands for the release of Thomas have been echoed by many Nigerians who are concerned about the growing trend of state-sponsored repression against activists. Many have expressed their disbelief at the increasing number of cases where police force is being used to intimidate those speaking out against the government and its policies.
In a social media post, Thomas’s supporters have expressed anger at her arrest, condemning what they see as an attempt to stifle free speech. “Abiodun Thomas is only fighting for a better Nigeria,” one user wrote. “The police should not target her for speaking the truth.”
Human rights groups, including Amnesty International, have also weighed in on the arrest, calling it a clear violation of Thomas’s rights to free expression and peaceful assembly. Amnesty International has called on the Nigerian government to ensure that all individuals, including activists like Thomas, are free to express their views without fear of arrest or harassment.
The YRC’s statement is clear: “The Nigeria Police must immediately end this impunity and release Nurse Abiodun Thomas unconditionally now.”
As the pressure mounts on the Nigerian government to address the concerns raised by the Youth Rights Campaign, many are calling for greater protection of activists and journalists, who continue to face threats for speaking out against corruption, violence, and injustice.
While the police have made it clear that they will not tolerate what they describe as “bullying” on social media, human rights groups are urging the Nigerian government to uphold its international commitments to free speech and peaceful protest.
The YRC has vowed to continue to fight for the release of Thomas and others like her who have been targeted for speaking out against the government.
“We will not rest until Nurse Abiodun Thomas is released,” Nwapa said. “This is not just about her—it is about every Nigerian who is silenced for speaking the truth.”
