Omoyele Sowore, a human rights activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters, claims he has been released from police prison following what he calls a “unjust” incarceration.

Sowore accused the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and its inspector-general (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, of illegal behaviour in a post published on X on Friday.

He claimed that the police “capitulated” to the demands of the revolutionary movement, which had demanded for his release.

“I have been released from unjust, unwarranted and unlawful detention,” he wrote.

“However, it is nothing to celebrate, work tongues, but I can’t do without thanking you all for not giving up. You’ve all seen the power of unity.”

Sowore, a former presidential candidate, was arrested on Wednesday and detained until Friday evening, when he was released.

On Thursday, Sowore accused police of breaking his arm while he was detained.

Earlier on Friday, Abayomi Shogunle, the commissioner of police for the special intervention squad, stated that Sowore was arrested and held after reportedly refusing to provide a statement during police interrogation.

“The two petitions against Omoyele Sowore were shown to him in my presence. One concerns forgery of a police document he published online, and the other relates to cyberbullying,” Shogunle said.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) had also requested Sowore’s immediate and unconditional release.

Joe Ajaero, NLC president, praised Sowore as a “moral compass” whose treatment should be taken seriously, despite of personal feelings towards him.