Amnesty International has expressed deep concern over reports suggesting that Nigerian authorities plan to arrest human rights activist and journalist Omoyele Sowore upon his return to Nigeria. The organization condemned the alleged targeting of Sowore, calling it a violation of his right to peaceful expression.
Amnesty urged President Bola Tinubu’s government to publicly commit to safeguarding Sowore’s rights, along with those of other Nigerians, to freely exercise their constitutionally and internationally recognized freedoms. These include the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, association, and movement, all protected under Nigeria’s Constitution, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Labeling Sowore as a “Prisoner of Conscience,” Amnesty International warned that arresting him would constitute an arbitrary restriction on human rights, potentially silencing public criticism of the authorities. The organization further called on Nigerian authorities to end the misuse of security forces to intimidate activists, journalists, and whistleblowers.
This development comes amid rising concerns over Nigeria’s crackdown on human rights and free speech, highlighted by the recent arrest of Nigeria Labour Congress President Joe Ajaero and the invasion of the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project’s office in Abuja. These incidents occurred after the organization demanded an investigation into the recent hike in petrol prices and alleged corruption within the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.
