By: Bayero Ade
Henry Nwodo, a well-known activist, was arrested on Sunday night by armed police officers in the Ruga-Fulani area of Abuja, just hours before he was set to participate in a protest against alleged police extortion and harassment.
According to witnesses, Nwodo was detained at approximately 8:30 p.m. after arriving at a local market. One onlooker, Rose, reported that the police officers immediately apprehended him as he got off a motorcycle.
According to Afripost, “He tried to resist, but they beat him, took his phone, and forced him into a black unmarked vehicle before driving away,” she explained.
Nwodo, a member of the Take It Back Movement, had been organizing the #OccupyPoliceHQ protest scheduled for Monday, January 27, at the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters in Abuja.
His housemate, Emiola Osifeso, confirmed that Nwodo was on his way to buy dinner when the police made the arrest.
“Witnesses said the police vehicle had been waiting at the location for some time before Nwodo arrived,” Osifeso added, hinting that local vigilantes might have alerted the officers to his presence.
The planned demonstration followed a viral video posted by activist Omoyele Sowore, which highlighted allegations of police extortion at a Lagos checkpoint.
In response to the video, Sowore has been summoned to the police in Abuja for questioning on Monday, January 27, facing charges such as resisting public officers and cyberstalking.
The Nigeria Police Force has requested that he report to the Force Intelligence Department at 10 a.m., with the option to bring legal counsel.
Sowore, who revealed that the police had been searching for him, has stated he is prepared to cooperate. “I’m already in Abuja and ready to face their questioning,” he declared.
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