Henry Nwodo, a prominent activist, was detained by armed police officers on Sunday night at the Ruga-Fulani village in the Jahi 2 area of Abuja.
The arrest occurred just hours before a planned protest against alleged police harassment and extortion in Nigeria.
Eyewitnesses reported that five armed officers apprehended Nwodo around 8:30 p.m. as he arrived at the Ruga-Fulani market.
“The police arrested him immediately after he got off a bike,” said Rose, a bystander.
She added, “He resisted, but they beat him, confiscated his phone, and forced him into a black, unmarked car before driving away.”
Nwodo, a member of the Take It Back Movement, was one of the organizers of the #OccupyPoliceHQ protest set for Monday, January 27, at the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters in Abuja.
According to his housemate, Emiola Osifeso, Nwodo had gone to the night market to buy rice for dinner when the arrest occurred.
“Eyewitnesses said the police car had been parked at the location for hours before his arrival,” Osifeso explained, adding that local vigilantes may have alerted the police about Nwodo’s presence.
Protest inspired by Sowore’s advocacy
The planned protest follows a viral video shared by Omoyele Sowore, an activist and former presidential candidate, exposing alleged police extortion at a checkpoint in Lagos.
Sowore has been summoned to appear before police investigators on Monday.
In a letter shared on social media, the Nigeria Police Force accused Sowore of various offenses, including resisting public officers, cyberstalking, and reckless acts.
The invitation instructed him to report to the Force Intelligence Department in Abuja at 10 a.m. on January 27, allowing him to bring legal representation.
Sowore, who revealed that police had been searching for him, stated he was ready to cooperate. “I’m currently in Abuja and prepared for their questioning,” he declared on Wednesday night.