The Nigeria Police Force on Wednesday evening launched a manhunt for Omoyele Sowore, the convener of the #RevolutionNow Movement, following a video he recorded during an altercation with police officers on Murtala Muhammed International Airport Access Road in Lagos.
The video shows police officers stationed on the road, apparently extorting money from motorists.
A source informed SaharaReporters that the manhunt was initiated by Force Spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi after days of deliberation and persistent appeals to the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to take action against Sowore.
Sowore, a former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), is currently in Nigeria and is scheduled to appear in court on February 4, 2025, for a cybercrime trial initiated by Senator Ned Nwoko, who recently defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The video posted on Sowore’s X and TikTok accounts has garnered nearly 917,000 views and over 2.9 million views respectively.
Operation Resist @PoliceNG extortion on Nigerian highways! #RevolutionNow pic.twitter.com/pRk05wby1Y
— Omoyele Sowore (@YeleSowore) January 9, 2025
Ned Nwoko had petitioned Sahara Reporters Foundation and Mr. Omoyele Sowore for criminal defamation, injurious falsehood publication of news known to be false contrary to section 391, 392, 393, 394, 395, and 418 of the Penal code of Northern Nigeria through his lawyers, Trifold Law & Partners. The petition signed by Bryan U. Ukaegbu on behalf of the law firm accuses Sowore of several defamatory statements on the news platform and social media handles, aimed at running down their client’s business and political career. The matter had been adjourned to February 4, 2025.
@yelesowore Operation Resist @PoliceNG extortion on Nigerian highways! #revolutionnow ♬ original sound – Mr. Sowore
On May 2, 2024, Sowore addressed Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja, informing the court that the police actions against him were an insult.
SaharaReporters had reported how the defamation and cyber-stalking suit filed against the human rights activist by the FCT Commissioner of Police on behalf of Senator Ned Nwoko stalled following the failure of the police to serve the 3rd defendant (SaharaReporters Media Group Incorporated) a hearing notice.
Operation Resist @PoliceNG extortion on Nigerian highways! #RevolutionNow pic.twitter.com/pRk05wby1Y
— Omoyele Sowore (@YeleSowore) January 9, 2025
The video in question shows Nigerian police officers stopping vehicles on the road, including Sowore’s. He confronted the officers, criticizing them for creating unnecessary traffic on the airport road. Sowore emphasized that their actions were inappropriate and disruptive.
In the video, Sowore is heard saying, “We are not parking. You are not supposed to be causing traffic on the airport road. We are not parking. Go and bring your Oga. You people should calm down.”
Despite his objections, the police officers stood in front of his car, insisting he park. Sowore, however, refused and firmly demanded that the officers clear the road.
Eventually, one of the officers instructed his colleagues to allow Sowore to proceed. As he drove off, one officer was heard saying, “God punish you,” to which Sowore promptly responded, “God punish you too.”