Group Calls for Release of Sowore’s Passport, Welcomes New IGP

The Take It Back Movement has urged the immediate and unconditional release of the international passport of Omoyele Sowore, a Nigerian human rights activist, while welcoming the appointment of Tunji Disu as the acting Inspector General of Police following the removal of Kayode Egbetokun.

In a statement issued by its National Coordinator, Sanyaolu Juwon, the organisation criticised the leadership of the former police chief, alleging that his tenure was characterised by abuse of power and a disregard for the rule of law.

The group accused Egbetokun of presiding over an era of impunity and constitutional violations, adding that under his watch, the Nigeria Police Force was used as a political tool to intimidate activists, journalists, and citizens advocating for transparency and good governance.

According to the movement, one of the most prominent examples of alleged misconduct during Egbetokun’s time in office was the continued detention of Sowore’s passport. The group described the action, along with what it termed baseless and politically motivated charges, as an attempt to silence a government critic.

“The seizure of his passport, alongside the string of baseless and politically motivated charges filed against him, represents nothing but an attempt to intimidate, silence, and punish a vocal critic of state excesses,” the statement read.

The group called on the newly appointed acting IGP, Tunji Disu, to distance his leadership from the practices of his predecessor. It urged him to uphold constitutional rights, respect the rule of law, and protect civil liberties.

A key demand from the organisation is the immediate release of Sowore’s passport and the withdrawal of all charges brought against him during the former IGP’s tenure. “There can be no genuine reform of the police institution while politically motivated persecutions persist,” the group said.

It further stressed that restoring public confidence in the police would require decisive action, adding that the force must serve the public rather than political interests.

In a separate statement, the Lagos chapter of the movement raised concerns over persistent incidents of police brutality, harassment, and extortion. It noted that despite the 2020 #EndSARS protests and subsequent calls for reform, citizens continue to face abuse, while disciplinary action against erring officers remains inadequate.

The group called on the acting IGP and the Police Service Commission to end arbitrary arrests and harassment, and to refocus the police on their constitutional duties of protecting lives and property.

It also renewed demands for comprehensive police reforms, including independent investigations, the use of body cameras, retraining of officers, and the full implementation of recommendations from the #EndSARS judicial panels.

“These uniformed criminals masquerading as law enforcement officers are not only terrorising Nigerians but also tarnishing the country’s image both domestically and internationally,” the statement read.

The movement encouraged Nigerians to remain engaged in the push for police accountability, adding that collective action remains essential in the fight for justice and institutional reform.