Human rights activist and #RevolutionNow convener, Omoyele Sowore, has publicly accused the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command of withholding his AI-powered medical eyeglasses, which were retrieved from a rogue officer who allegedly stole them during a peaceful protest.

According to Sowore, FCT Commissioner of Police, Ajao Adewale, confirmed the recovery of the glasses but refused to return them, citing security concerns over their built-in camera and AI technology.

“I have been told by the Commissioner of Police… that they have collected it from him, but because my glasses have a camera, according to him, he cannot release it,” Sowore said during a live demonstration with police officers in Abuja.
“It is such an embarrassment that the police is afraid of technology. That is why the Nigeria Police is what it is today.”

The high-tech glasses—reported to store sensitive private data—were stolen by an undercover officer, Aku Victor Chiemerie, on July 21, 2025, during a protest at the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters. The protest was organized by Sowore and other civil society groups alongside retired officers, demanding better welfare and pension reforms for the police.

“If The Force HQ Isn’t Safe, Then Nigeria Isn’t Safe”

Lamenting the irony of the incident, Sowore declared:

“Somebody cannot come to the Force Headquarters and have his things stolen, and you say you don't know him. If things are not safe at the Force Headquarters, then Nigeria is not safe.”

Sowore, a former presidential candidate and long-time critic of systemic injustice, used the incident to highlight rampant corruption, poor leadership, and the technological backwardness of the Nigeria Police Force.

“All of you are supposed to have a body camera in 2025. But you don't. And the person who is using technology to aid his vision and his ideas—you steal that vision.”

He called on officers to reflect on their own treatment and uncertain futures, pointing to retired colleagues who have been neglected by the system.

“Look at these men who are retired. That’s your mirror. If you like, keep doing slave work… keep letting them use you against your future.”

"You Can Steal My Glasses, But Not My Vision"

Sowore criticized the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, whom he labeled “illegal” and accused of stealing his passport.

“You have done nothing to help me recover my glasses… The reason IGP is in trouble today is that he stole my passport and has not slept since that time.”

He also slammed the Nigerian government's rehabilitation program for Boko Haram members, contrasting their treatment with that of retired police officers.

“Rehabilitated Boko Haram members get N2 million and a house, but police officers who served for 35 years retire into poverty.”

He warned that frustration among law enforcement officers could lead to radicalization:

“One retired officer told us that nothing could stop him from joining Boko Haram if they paid his pension.”

"No Officer Should Earn Less Than ₦500,000"

Sowore concluded by urging the police officers not to remain silent:

“Justice for the police means better pay. None of you ought to be paid less than ₦500,000 per month.”

He added:

“You are the ones they deduct the pension from. Yet, your lives have not improved. This is the problem we are here to solve.”

Sowore vowed to return for more protests, encouraging the officers to “keep crossing the barrier” until they get justice.