The Nigeria Police Force has dismissed allegations that human rights activist and publisher, Omoyele Sowore, was tortured while in custody, describing the claims as “misleading disinformation.”
In a statement issued on Saturday, the police explained that Sowore was arrested over alleged criminal offences, including forgery, cyberstalking, and other infractions, and that his detention followed due process in line with constitutional safeguards and the suspect’s rights.
The Force clarified that Sowore’s widely circulated image with a bandaged arm was not a result of police brutality. “For the record, the bandage was part of his personal belongings at the time he honoured the Police’s invitation prior to his arrest and detention,” the statement read.
According to the police, upon learning that Sowore wore the bandage in custody, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun ordered an internal probe to determine how he accessed it, particularly after repeatedly refusing medical examinations by independent teams deployed by the Force.
The statement further noted that medical teams from the Muhammadu Buhari Police Hospital and the Force Medical Office were dispatched on August 7 and 8, 2025, respectively, to assess the activist’s health, but Sowore declined both evaluations.
“These refusals are officially documented. While the Police respect the individual’s right to decline medical assessment, the record must show that the opportunity for independent medical verification was twice provided and twice rejected,” the police stressed.
The police said Sowore remains under active investigation and will soon appear before a court of competent jurisdiction.
