13 Arrests, Zero Fear: How Sowore Became Nigeria’s Most Detained Freedom Fighter”
When you hear the name Omoyele Sowore, think of a man who has taken more police beatings than some politicians have given speeches — all in the name of truth, justice, and a better Nigeria.
From the June 12 protests after MKO Abiola’s death to the more recent #RevolutionNow movement, Sowore has stood at the forefront of Nigeria’s most daring protests. And what’s been his reward? Tear gas, handcuffs, and detention cells — again and again. Eyes Of Lagos reports,
But how many times has Sowore actually been arrested?
Let’s break it down.
🕊️ Sowore: From Student Activist to National Disruptor
Sowore’s activism journey began in the early ’90s at the University of Lagos, where he was President of the Student Union Government. During the 1993 June 12 presidential elections, widely believed to be won by Chief MKO Abiola, Sowore led mass protests against the annulment.
When Abiola was jailed and eventually died in 1998 under suspicious circumstances, Sowore was among the youth leaders who took to the streets. For that, he was arrested — marking his first major brush with Nigeria’s security forces.
🚔 Arrested Again and Again: Sowore’s War with the System
Since then, Sowore has been arrested over 13 times — from Lagos to Abuja, and even at Murtala Muhammed International Airport.
Some of the most notable arrests include:
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2005: Detained while covering a government scandal involving stolen oil revenue.
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2011: Picked up during a protest over fuel subsidy removal.
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2019: Arrested by DSS over the #RevolutionNow protest, held for over 124 days despite court orders for his release.
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2021: Beaten and detained again during a peaceful protest in Abuja.
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2023: Arrested while campaigning for human rights violations in Lekki.
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2025: Currently in police detention for what his lawyers are calling a “murder plot in disguise” after he was injured and allegedly exposed to noxious gas.
🧠 Why This Matters: Sowore is Nigeria’s Conscience
Sowore’s story isn’t just about arrests — it’s about persistence in a country that punishes integrity.
Many activists give up after one arrest. Sowore keeps coming back.
He has used his platform — Sahara Reporters — to expose corruption, bad governance, and human rights abuses. He ran for President in 2019 and 2023, not because he thought he’d win outright, but to force a national conversation on justice, equity, and accountability.
🚨 Final Thoughts: A Hero or a Threat?
Love him or hate him, Sowore is one of the few Nigerians alive who has risked it all — freedom, family, even his life — to demand better for the people.
His arrest history reads like a timeline of Nigeria’s democratic struggles. The question is: How many more arrests will it take before Nigerians truly listen?