Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has strongly condemned the reported assault and detention of human rights activist Omoyele Sowore by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Monitoring Team, calling it an abuse of power.
Atiku, the 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, made the statement on Thursday via his verified Facebook page, describing Sowore’s treatment as “shameful, unlawful, and a personal vendetta.”
Sowore, who is also the publisher of Sahara Reporters, was reportedly attacked by police officers at dawn. According to reports, he was beaten, had his arm broken, and was sprayed with chemicals after responding to a police invitation linked to a petition said to have originated from the IGP’s office.
Atiku said Sowore’s only crime was speaking out against injustice, corruption, and poor leadership in Nigeria. He criticized the IGP for acting both as complainant and executor of what he called a personal grudge.
“No police officer shall institute any legal proceeding in his own personal interest or in connection with matters arising out of his public duties,” Atiku emphasized, adding that “the IGP cannot be a complainant and still deploy the force to carry out his grievance.”
Atiku warned that this attack was not only against Sowore but an assault on every Nigerian who dares to speak the truth. He demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Sowore, insisting that such abuses must stop.
The incident has sparked outrage among activists and opposition groups who call for respect for human rights and the rule of law in Nigeria.