Yoruba Union Calls For IGP Egbetokun’s Sack Over Sowore’s Arrest, Threatens Global Embassy Protests

Ikeja, Lagos State– The Yoruba Union, operating under the name Ìgbìnmó Májékóbájé Ilé-Yorùbá, has issued a stern call for the immediate dismissal of Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun over the controversial arrest of Nigerian human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore.

The group accused IGP Egbetokun of using the Nigerian Police Force to settle personal scores, branding the arrest of Sowore as politically motivated and an abuse of state power.

The Union urged President Bola Tinubu to act swiftly and decisively by relieving the police chief of his duties.

It warned that failure to do so would lead to coordinated protests, including the occupation of Nigerian embassies in key cities across the globe.

“This is a dangerous slide into authoritarianism. We cannot sit by while state institutions are weweaponisedgainst voices of dissent.

Beyond local action, the Yoruba Union is also calling on international bodies—including the United Nations and the European Union—to impose sanctions on the Nigerian government for what it described as “repeated human rights violations” and the clampdown on dissent by both the police and the Department of State Services (DSS).

The group further accused President Tinubu of nepotism, alleging that his continued support for IGP Egbetokun reflects a troubling pattern of shielding allies at the expense of national unity and democratic principles.

In a statement released on Thursday by the Convener, Olusola Badero, and signed by the Home Director, Princess Balogun, the Yoruba Union accused IGP Egbetokun of unlawfully detaining Sowore despite the activist honoring a police invitation.

The group alleged that a petition written by one of the IGP’s mistresses was used as a tool to go after Sowore.

The Union stated that Egbetokun and his allies cannot act as judge and jury in a case involving themselves, especially while using public funds to pursue personal grudges.

“Nigeria has become a banana republic under Tinubu’s watch. We have become a laughingstock internationally. No one respects the Nigerian Police Force anymore, as those in power have reduced it to a political tool for silencing critics and stifling free expression,” the statement read.

“Tinubu has allowed nepotism to flourish. Egbetokun now acts like a demigod, unchecked and unrestrained, even though he has surpassed the statutory retirement age and should not be occupying the position of IGP.”

The Union warned that failure to remove Egbetokun would clearly indicate President Tinubu’s intention to use him for questionable roles in the 2027 general elections. It further cautioned the government against continued crackdowns on civic space and the rights of Nigerian citizens.

“We are calling on President Tinubu to sack IGP Egbetokun with immediate effect, or we will mobilize to occupy Nigerian embassies worldwide and report all atrocities committed by Egbetokun and his enablers, including President Tinubu, to the United Nations and the European Union.”

Ìgbìnmó Májékóbájé Ilé-Yorùbá noted that rather than being persecuted, Sowore deserves to be celebrated for advocating for the promotion and improved welfare of thousands of Nigerian police officers.

Instead, Egbetokun views him as an enemy worthy of intimidation.

“Arresting and detaining Sowore is a grave mistake. Egbetokun is digging his own grave. Sowore will never bow to intimidation; he will continue to expose the atrocities committed by the IGP.”

The Union called on all well-meaning Nigerians and its members both at home and abroad to protest at Nigerian embassies worldwide and to petition the UN and the EU over IGP Egbetokun’s alleged human rights abuses and misuse of the police force for personal scores.

“We are giving IGP Egbetokun 24 hours to release Sowore and all other critics who have been illegally arrested and detained. We are also petitioning the governments of the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada to impose visa bans on Egbetokun and his family members.”

The group added that it would not allow Egbetokun to tarnish the image of the country, especially the Southwest, in the eyes of the international community. “Nigeria is not a banana republic,” the statement emphasised.

Omoyele Sowore, a former presidential candidate and publisher of Sahara Reporters, has long been a critic of successive Nigerian governments and has faced multiple arrests and detentions over the years, often sparking widespread outrage.