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Abiodun Olamide Thomas, a female activist, was detained by the Nigerian police for allegedly insulting Seyi Tinubu, the son of President Bola Tinubu, and criticizing police brutality. Thomas spent both her birthday, December 25, and Christmas Day in police custody, sparking outrage from human rights organizations.
The Youth Rights Campaign (YRC), in a statement issued by its National Secretary, Francis Nwapa, condemned the Nigeria Police Force and Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun for Thomas’ detention. The group demanded her immediate release, emphasizing that her birthday, which coincided with Christmas Day, was spent in jail.
In a social media post, Nwapa expressed: “Today was supposed to be a joyous celebration of life for Nurse Abiodun Thomas, but @officialABAT, IG @PoliceNG Kayode Egbedukun & @Princemoye1 ensured she’s in prison on her birthday.” He continued, “A country where citizens are incarcerated for the pleasure of those assumed powerful is nothing but a slave camp. Its captors should expect an imminent revolution.”
Today was suppose to be a joyous celebration of life for Nurse Abiodun Thomas, but @officialABAT, IG @PoliceNG Kayode Egbedukun & @Princemoye1 ensured she's in prison on her birthday. A country where citizens are incarcerated for the pleasure of those assumed powerful is nothing pic.twitter.com/OYVTDsOpiv
— Francis Nwapa (@FNwapa) December 26, 2024
The YRC also celebrated Thomas’ courage and called for her immediate and unconditional release, wishing her a “Happy Birthday” despite her circumstances.
Prominent human rights lawyer Prof. Chidi Odinkalu also condemned Thomas’ detention, describing it as an abuse of power and civic intimidation. He dismissed claims that Thomas was cyberbullying or intimidating the president’s son, calling it “transparent nonsense.” He posted on his X account, “Her incarceration is a brazen act of abuse of power & civic intimidation.”
