Sowore Faces Police Interrogation Over Viral Video Alleging Extortion

Sowore, who arrived at 9:58 a.m., was invited following his viral video accusing police officers at a Lagos checkpoint of extortion. The police summoned him to address multiple allegations, including resisting public officers, disobedience to lawful orders, cyberstalking, and actions allegedly aimed at obstructing arrests.

An official invitation letter issued by the Force Intelligence Department outlined the accusations, stating in part:

“This office is investigating a case of resisting and obstructing public officers, disobedience to lawful orders, acts intended to cause grievous harm or prevent arrest, compelling action by intimidation, reckless and negligent acts, refusal to assist public servants, and cyberstalking, in which your name featured prominently.”

The letter instructed Sowore to appear for an interview with the Deputy Inspector General of Police at the Force Intelligence Department Complex in Garki, Abuja, at 10 a.m. on Monday, January 27, 2025.

Ahead of Sowore’s appearance, the Take It Back Movement, a group closely associated with him, circulated a protest flier on social media platforms, including X (formerly Twitter). The flier, captioned “Occupy Force Headquarters,” featured bold red text alongside images of Sowore and the Inspector General of Police. The group called for mass protests to denounce police extortion and support Sowore.

In response, heavily armed police officers and anti-riot personnel barricaded roads leading to the Force Headquarters early Monday morning. The increased security presence suggested a precautionary measure against the planned demonstration.

As of the time of this report, Sowore was still at the Force Intelligence Department for the scheduled interview. Meanwhile, the atmosphere outside the complex remained tense but under control, with no reported incidents of violence.