There is currently tension in the nation’s capital city, Abuja, as the civic organization ‘Take It Back Movement’ finalized its plans to hold a protest at the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters, located at Louis Edet House.
Naija News understands that the group has urged Nigerians to participate in the protest scheduled for 9 a.m. today, Monday, January 27.
In a statement, the organization expressed: “We invite you to join us tomorrow at the force headquarters in Abuja as we initiate a series of mass campaigns aimed at permanently ending police extortions and unlawful roadblocks throughout the nation. #EndPoliceExtortion.”
This development has charged the atmosphere in Abuja amid uncertainties.
It is worth noting that the planned protest was prompted by a recent incident involving the group’s convener, Omoyele Sowore, who was summoned by the police for questioning after he recorded a video during a confrontation with police officers in Lagos.
The police had sent an invitation to Sowore regarding the video.
The invitation letter, dated January 23, 2025, and signed by CP Ibitoye Rufus Alajide, Commissioner of Police (OPS), on behalf of the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force Intelligence Department (FID), Abuja, requested Sowore to appear on Monday, January 27, 2025, for an interview with the DIG.
In an unexpected development, armed police officers apprehended one of the protest organizers, Henry Nwodo, on Sunday night in the Ruga-Fulani village of Abuja.
Witnesses reported that Nwodo was assaulted, his phone was confiscated, and he was forcibly taken into a black vehicle without license plates.
A housemate of Nwodo, Emiola Osifeso, reported that the activist was at the night market buying rice for dinner when the police apprehended him.
Osifeso suspects that Nwodo’s arrest is linked to the upcoming protest at the police headquarters, noting that some local residents indicated that vigilante officers in the vicinity informed the police about him.
Despite Nwodo’s detention, the protest, titled #EndPoliceExtortion, is set to proceed as scheduled. The movement is urging Nigerians to participate in the demonstration to advocate for an end to police brutality and extortion.
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