The South West Youth Alliance has urged the Federal Government to detain and charge Omoyele Sowore, a self-proclaimed human rights advocate, for allegedly inciting Nigeria police officers against the Federal Government.
In response to a message posted on Sowore’s verified X account (previously Twitter), which called for “the Nigeria Police Force to withdraw their services from politicians, celebrities, top senior civil servants, governors, senators, the president, vice-chancellors, traditional leaders, and religious leaders a day or two before the #PoliceProtest,” Adenike Ajanlekoko, the Alliance’s Publicity Director, stated that security agencies, particularly the DSS and Nigeria Police, should promptly summon Sowore to explain why he wishes to destabilise the government and provoke disorder through his proposed “Police Protest.”
“Encouraging active police officers to join in a protest is essentially mutiny. Mutiny constitutes a criminal offence under our legal framework. The repercussions of mutiny can be severe and extensive, impacting individuals, institutions, and national stability.
“Sowore should be called in to confront the repercussions of mutiny, as it erodes authority and can disrupt the chain of command, frequently hindering operations,” Ajanlekoko remarked.
She also mentioned that police personnel should address their concerns through proper channels, as participants in the alleged “police protest” could face internal disciplinary actions such as demotion, suspension, or dismissal.
“Sowore’s police protest is likely to result in disorder; law enforcement may be compromised, jeopardizing public safety, and it could encourage others to flout lawful authority, leading the public to lose confidence in the institutions designed to protect and serve them.
“In summary, if Sowore proceeds with the ‘police protest,’ the nation may experience reputational damage and strained international relations.”
