EXCLUSIVE: Fresh Plot By Nigeria Police Hierarchy To Eliminate Sowore Exposed

Police sources told SaharaReporters that officers who work closely with the IGP reportedly regard Sowore as a persistent threat because of his sustained exposure of police corruption.

Following a year-long confrontation between human rights activist and two-time presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore and the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force, credible information obtained by SaharaReporters from officers familiar with internal police operations indicates a grave development.

According to the information, a high-powered team was recently assembled from the office of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, with the alleged objective of eliminating the activist.

Police sources told SaharaReporters that officers who work closely with the IGP and reportedly regard Sowore as a persistent threat because of his sustained exposure of police corruption have discussed scenarios in which “they would stage a confrontation, arrange for his arrest, and kill him in the process”.

Sources further disclosed that one of the alleged plans involved acting on a petition said to have originated from a northern state.

“They will effect an arrest under the pretext that they are acting on a petition,” one of the sources said.

Under the plan, Sowore would be arrested on cybercrime-related allegations and transported by road to the state for prosecution, during which a staged “accident” would be orchestrated to eliminate him.

Also, according to sources, a second option reportedly discussed by officers was to track Sowore during a road trip and attack him at a police checkpoint, later claiming he was “stubborn” or had resisted lawful orders.

Growing Hostility Toward Sowore

Sources within the police hierarchy say Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun has grown increasingly angered by Sowore’s persistent public assertion that his appointment as IGP is illegal.

According to insiders, this claim has gained traction even among senior officers and rank-and-file personnel, who now reference it in coded conversations within police headquarters and beyond.

The sources further allege that Sowore’s reporting on alleged favoritism and irregular promotions within the IGP’s office, including claims involving junior officers with personal ties to the IGP, has intensified hostility toward him.

One of the sources said “Sowore is seen as a threat that cannot be ignored,” noting that the plans are being discussed at the highest levels.

Controversial Promotions and Internal Discontent

One officer frequently mentioned in internal discussions is Yemisi Kuti, recently promoted under controversial circumstances, reportedly slated for another promotion, and believed to wield significant influence within the IGP’s inner circle.

These claims remain unchallenged by the Force.

SaharaReporters previously exposed the rapid rise of Yemisi (Bukola) Kuti, a female officer whose career growth has been unusually accelerated compared to her peers.

The reports revealed that Kuti’s advancement was not simply the result of merit or seniority but was linked to her personal relationship with the IGP.

Within just a decade of joining the force, she reportedly rose to the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), a pace that many officers considered extraordinary and unfair.

This sparked discontent among rank-and-file officers, who felt sidelined despite years of service and experience.

Other senior officers allegedly involved in discussions hostile to Sowore include Muyiwa Adejobi, the former Police Force Public Relations Officer who was controversially promoted and later redeployed to Delta State, and Commissioner of Police Akin Fakorede, head of the IGP’s Monitoring Unit.

Alleged Harassment and Attacks

CP Fakorede’s unit recently arrested Sowore and ordered banks to provide his account records, an action sources described as an attempt to embarrass him financially.

The efforts, however, reportedly produced no incriminating evidence.

Fakorede is also alleged to have overseen the deployment of officers who attacked Sowore at the Force Intelligence Department, an incident in which the activist sustained a broken hand.

According to sources, Fakorede is scheming to become the Delta State Commissioner of Police, and is said to be upset by ongoing negative coverage from SaharaReporters.

Sources also revealed that during a recent visit to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, Fakorede, in the company of the IGP, mentioned that he saw that Sowore was attacking him, with Wike reportedly responding that the matter would be addressed later.

Another senior officer named by sources is Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Moshood Jimoh, who previously declared Sowore “wanted” in Lagos without prior provocation.

Jimoh is alleged to have assembled a squad to target Sowore during his visit to Oworonshoki for an anti-demolition protest, although the team reportedly failed to locate him before his departure.

Multiple Arrests and Court Proceedings

Sowore has been arrested three times in 2025 alone under the current IGP, facing charges in court on each occasion.

His passport was seized in January 2025 by a Federal High Court judge in Abuja, Justice MS Liman, who has since refused to release it or proceed with the trial, citing various excuses each time the case comes before his court.

The most recent arrest followed Sowore’s leadership of the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest in Abuja.

After being granted bail by a Magistrate Court in October, and while still attempting to meet bail conditions, Sowore was allegedly attacked within the court premises by a CSP from the Anti-Vice Unit identified as Barau.

Witnesses say Sowore was forcibly taken from the court into a police vehicle and driven to Kuje Correctional Centre, where he and 13 others spent three nights.

During this period, the Magistrate handling the case was reportedly asked to leave the premises and switch off his phones, effectively preventing the granting of bail.

When the case came up again at Kuje, police prosecutors requested an adjournment, citing lack of readiness. The matter has now been adjourned until the end of February.

Apart from the IGP, the Director of DSS also recently charged Sowore with cybercrime for allegedly calling President Bola Tinubu a criminal.

Repeated attempts to obtain official responses from the Nigeria Police Force were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.

The issue has been further complicated by Sowore’s leading role in exposing alleged atrocities by police officers at Tiger Base in Owerri, Imo State, where a powerful CSP Adamu Shaba, the CSO to Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma, is implicated.

CSP Shaba is said to be one of the IGP’s most dangerous allies and has reportedly been drafted into the plot against Sowore.