Nigerian activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has alleged that the Federal Capital Territory Police Commissioner retrieved his stolen Ray-Ban AI glasses, which had been taken by a police officer during a protest in Abuja, but has since refused to return the device to him. Sowore made the claim during interviews following Monday’s protest by retired police officers outside the Nigeria Police Force headquarters.
Sowore accused a plain-clothed officer of stealing the glasses in broad daylight at the protest, an incident captured on video and widely circulated. The activist says his glasses, equipped with AI technology, were crucial for recording alleged police misconduct, which he has been documenting for months.
According to Sowore, the FCT Police Commissioner ordered the recovery of the glasses from the suspected officer; however, he has declined to release them back. Sowore characterized this refusal as part of a broader campaign by the police to suppress his efforts at exposing corruption, citing leaked WhatsApp conversations where officers warned each other about his recording devices.
The activist has remained vocal about police intimidation tactics and alleged misconduct, accusing the police leadership of shielding the officer involved in the theft. Despite repeated requests, the police have not publicly identified or disciplined the culprit.
This incident has intensified public debate on police accountability and freedom of expression in Nigeria, highlighting concerns about the misuse of power to silence activists documenting abuses within the security forces. Sowore and his supporters continue to press for the return of his property and demand greater transparency from the police authorities.
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