BREAKING: Nigerian Police Issue Orders To Thwart Sowore’s Planned Protest With Retired Officers Over Poor Welfare; Activist Vows ‘No Going Back’

The Nigeria Police Force has issued a directive to its commands in Asaba and Benin to take urgent steps to prevent a peaceful protest planned by pro-democracy activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, in solidarity with retired police officers across the country.

This directive was contained in a police wireless message dated July 8, 2025, and marked DTO: 081145/07/2025.

The message originated from the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 5, Benin, and was addressed to the Commissioners of Police in Asaba (Delta State) and Benin (Edo State).

It was also copied to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Force Headquarters in Abuja, and other senior police departments.

According to the communication, the police authorities received intelligence that Sowore intends to lead or participate in a peaceful demonstration alongside retired police officers. In response, the Zone 5 AIG ordered immediate action to prevent the protest from taking place.

“You should do anything possible within your powers to thwart the planned protest and put in place watertight security in your various commands,” the AIG stated.

The directive also instructed police commands to convene a stakeholder meeting with retired officers in their areas of responsibility, presumably to dissuade them from participating in the planned action.

The message concluded with the urgent classification: “Treat as very important please,” and was marked for immediate implementation.

Sowore, a well-known activist and publisher of SaharaReporters, has been a vocal advocate for civil liberties, social justice, and police welfare.

The planned protest, which is in support of retired officers demanding their entitlements, highlights growing unrest within the ranks of former police personnel.

Meanwhile, Sowore has swiftly reacted to the development on social media, saying the “Nigeria Police Force hierarchy is in full panic mode”.

According to him, there is no going back on the protest.

He said, “They are desperately attempting to sabotage the upcoming #PoliceProtest, as exposed by this leaked wireless message. They've already begun deploying officers nationwide, hoping to crush a movement they can no longer contain. The problem for them is that this protest is not just about retired officers; it includes serving police officers and the entire Nigerian populace fed up with poverty wages, broken promises, and systemic exploitation of workers.

“We forget so soon that Nigeria Police Force officers are also workers, and this is because they're not allowed to have unions for collective bargaining.

“We must let the illegal IGP know that he can’t stop a movement whose time has come. That no force can stop the liberation of the Nigeria Police Force from the slavery of the corrupt elite.”

“#PoliceProtest starts on July 21st 2025. NO GOING BACK! BABU FASHI SAM SAM!” he added.