Human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has vowed to pursue justice following an incident in which a police media officer allegedly stole his AI-powered glasses during a public event. The accused cameraman has reportedly deleted his Facebook account amid growing social media pressure, while the Nigeria Police Force's Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, has blocked Sowore on social media in the wake of the controversy.
The incident reportedly occurred during a public gathering in Abuja, where Sowore claims a police cameraman affiliated with the Nigeria Police Media Unit took his high-tech AI-enabled eyewear, which he uses for documentation and accessibility purposes. After several attempts to retrieve the item failed, Sowore went public with the accusation.
"The theft of my AI glasses by someone attached to the Nigerian Police Force is not just petty; it’s an attack on my rights and a blatant abuse of power," Sowore said in a public statement on Wednesday. "The fact that the officer has now deleted his Facebook account speaks volumes. I will not back down until justice is served."
According to Sowore, efforts to engage with the police authorities were stonewalled. Instead of addressing the issue, he was blocked by the police spokesperson on social media, a move that has further fueled criticism of the Force’s handling of internal misconduct.
"This is about accountability," Sowore emphasized. "If a citizen can be treated this way by someone in uniform, imagine what the average Nigerian faces daily. This fight is bigger than my glasses—it's about the systemic impunity within the security forces."
The Nigeria Police Force has yet to release an official statement on the matter. However, the online public reaction has been swift, with many Nigerians demanding transparency and an investigation into the alleged misconduct.
Sowore has stated that he is preparing legal action to hold those involved accountable, and he is calling on civil society groups and the international community to take note of what he describes as "yet another reminder of lawlessness in high places."