Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has criticised the repeated arrest and prolonged detention of activist and Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore.
Gatekeepers News reports that Sowore was reportedly detained on Wednesday after honouring an invitation by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Monitoring Unit at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, following a petition. He has remained in custody since then and, on Thursday, alleged that his arm was broken during the detention.
In a statement by NLC President, Joe Ajaero, the labour union expressed concern over reports of injuries sustained by Sowore, calling the situation deeply troubling.
Ajaero emphasised that if Sowore had violated any laws or offended any political figure, legal processes should be followed, rather than resorting to repeated harassment and arbitrary detention.
He questioned the frequency of Sowore’s arrests in recent times, pointing out that such acts contradict the constitutional guarantees of free speech and freedom of association.
The statement reads, “The NLC warns that silence in the face of such repression is complicity. If the state can arbitrarily detain Sowore today, no journalist, no trade unionist, no activist, and no ordinary citizen is safe tomorrow.”
The NLC President warned that these actions signal a dangerous slide toward authoritarianism, where dissent is met with force and fear replaces freedom.
According to him, the government’s approach erodes public trust and tarnishes its image before both Nigerians and the global community.
The statement added, “Such behaviour soils the government’s image before its citizens and the international community when it acts in a way that suggests it is above the law.”
“We are duty-bound not only to alert the nation to the inherent dangers of the government breaching these rights but also to point out the consequences of such breaches.”
“Government, like all other citizens, should be law-abiding at all times, not only when it suits them.”
Describing Sowore as a “moral compass” in society, Ajaero stressed that personal opinions should not justify the mistreatment of any citizen.
He demanded Sowore’s immediate and unconditional release, an end to the clampdown on activists, and strict respect for the rule of law and constitutional freedoms.
The labour leader also criticised the authorities for ignoring Sowore’s criticisms of the IGP’s tenure extension and the poor welfare of retired police officers, which may have prompted the recent confrontation.
