Police Arrest Activist Abiodun Thomas Over Criticism of Brutality and Misconduct

The Nigeria Police Force has arrested Abiodun Olamide Thomas, popularly known as “Horlarmidey Africano,” for criticising police brutality and misconduct. Her arrest, reportedly ordered by Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, occurred early Friday at her residence in the Somolu area of Lagos.

The Take-It-Back Movement (TIB), a human rights advocacy organisation, has condemned the arrest and demanded her immediate release. In a statement shared on its social media handle, TIB disclosed that Thomas was detained over a Facebook post where she criticised police lawlessness and brutality.

Earlier today, police under the directive of IGP Egbedokun ordered the arrest of Nurse Olamide Thomas over a Facebook video calling out the lawlessness and brutality of the police. We condemn this arrest as unacceptable, and we forthwith call for the immediate release of Nurse Olamide, the statement read.

Thomas has been a vocal advocate against police misconduct since the October 2020 #EndSARS protests. She participated in the fourth memorial of the protests on October 20, 2024, during which she alleged she was brutalised, her money was stolen, and her phone destroyed while in police custody.

In November, Thomas raised concerns about her safety. She alleged that ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Force Public Relations Officer, had targeted her due to her social media posts criticising the police. She stated that Adejobi accused her of bullying Nigerians, including himself, and had reportedly instructed officers from the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) to track and arrest her. She said Adejobi has likely been looking for an opportunity to detain her.

Condemning the arrest, human rights activist Omoyele Sowore said:

The PPRO of the [Nigeria] Police [Force], Muyiwa Adejobi, personally ordered the arrest of Olamide for her posts against police excesses in a WhatsApp group and on Facebook. This is completely unacceptable and will be resisted. The police must release her immediately.

Sources disclosed that Thomas was initially taken to Alade Police Station before being transferred to the State Command in Ikeja. Her arrest reportedly followed the detention of her brother, who was used by the police to track her location. The Take-It-Back Movement described the arrest as a blatant attempt to suppress dissent and urged Nigerians to hold the police accountable. Neither ACP Adejobi nor the Nigeria Police Force has commented on the situation.

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