Activist Henry Nwodo arrested over planned protest against police

Henry Nwodo, an activist, has been arrested by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), in the Jahi 2 area of Abuja. 

Nigerians on X have taken to the platform to call for his release after he was reportedly whisked away by police officers at Ruga-Fulani village on Sunday evening, Jan. 26. 

His arrest was over a planned protest at the force headquarters today, Jan. 27. 

Mr Nwodo, a member of the Take It Back Movement, is one of the organisers of the #OccupyPoliceHQ to End Police Extortion protest which was scheduled for Monday, 27 January, at the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters, Louis Edet House, Abuja. 

The protest was initiated in response to the invitation extended to Omoyele Sowore, AAC presidential candidate in 2023, by the police. 

On January 23, the police invited Sowore to the force headquarters in Abuja for questioning on Monday over alleged cyberstalking, negligent acts, and intimidation. 

Nwodo’s housemate, Emiola Osifeso, told Premium Times that the activist had gone to the night market to purchase rice for dinner when the police arrested him hours before the protest was scheduled to hold. 

He was allegedly beaten and his phone seized. 

“He was the only one arrested in the area. Eyewitnesses told us that the car used by the police to take him away had been parked there for hours before Nwodo’s arrival on a bike,” Osifeso said. 

He further stated that “His arrest is connected to tomorrow’s protest at the police headquarters,” adding that “some residents said the vigilante officers in the area outed him to the police.”