ABUJA - Nigerian activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, was detained by police on Wednesday after honoring an invitation to the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters in Abuja. His detention has drawn sharp criticism from civil society organizations, including Amnesty International, which has condemned the arrest as "arbitrary and politically motivated."

Sowore arrived at the Force Headquarters around noon with a travel bag and was taken into custody shortly after. According to a report by Premium Times, police did not present an official complaint or show the petition against him at the time of his detention.

The initial police letter inviting Sowore had accused him of "inciting disturbance," according to Sahara Reporters. However, a new letter issued to his lawyer on Monday replaced this with allegations of forgery and criminal defamation. Sowore's history of activism has led to multiple arrests since 2019, including a 2019 detention for organizing a peaceful protest, which led Amnesty International to declare him a Prisoner of Conscience.

Amnesty International Nigeria took to social media to demand Sowore's immediate and unconditional release. The organization stated, "Amnesty International strongly condemns the arbitrary detention of human rights activist and journalist Omoyele Sowore who has been facing ongoing harassment and intimidation by the Nigeria Police."

Sowore's lawyers are reportedly preparing to challenge the detention in court. Meanwhile, supporters from the Take It Back Movement, who accompanied him to the police headquarters, continue to demand his release. Earlier this year, Sowore was detained and required to surrender his international passport and secure a Level 17 civil servant as a guarantor for his release, according to a report by FIJ.