A letter from the police dated 1 June was sent to Mr Gwamnishu. The letter said the police were looking into a case of "conspiracy, attempted murder, incitement to engage in terrorism, communal war and obstruction."
The letter asked the activist to come before the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department. He was to meet through the Officer-in-Charge of Homicide at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Asaba, on 4 June.
This situation comes after rising tensions between Mr Gwamnishu and the police command in Delta. This tension started from his ongoing criticism of alleged police wrongdoing and his work in several high-profile cases in the state.
Activist claims there is a plot against him
Mr Gwamnishu reacted on Facebook on Monday. He said he was surprised by the allegations in the invitation letter.
"I returned from court for Oghenemine’s case and the Nigeria Police Force, Delta State Command, sent me Happy New Letter," he wrote.
"Case of Attempted Murder, incitement to engage in Terrorism. I wish to inform everyone that Delta State Police Command have nothing on me and they have been planning massively against me."
In another Facebook video from 25 May, before he got the police invitation, Mr Gwamnishu said some people had warned him about plans to set him up.
He said he was worried after getting repeated information that unnamed people were plotting against him. The activist denied any wrongdoing and said his public actions aimed to expose abuses and help fight insecurity.
"I only posted Oghenemine’s case for public awareness to end police brutality. That when a suspect is arrested, you don’t kill a suspect. When the suspect is already cooperating with you, why kill him?" he said.
Mr Gwamnishu defended his many social media posts about kidnapping and security issues in Delta State.
"I am not taking the work of the police or the military. I am only assisting," he said.
He explained that his advocacy often included giving information to government officials, including Delta Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and other senior state officials.
The activist said he feared being wrongly accused in a crime.
"Tomorrow, they can see me on the road and say I own a gun. Not true. I don’t own a gun. There is a plan on grounds against me," he said in the video.
He directly asked Governor Oborevwori for a meeting to discuss his concerns.
Ongoing clashes with police
Mr Gwamnishu is known as one of Delta State’s top human rights advocates. He often uses social media to highlight alleged police misconduct, extortion, and human rights abuses.
PREMIUM TIMES has reported several times how Mr Gwamnishu's complaints led to police investigations and actions against officers accused of extorting money and abusing their power.
In March and April this year, this newspaper reported on police inquiries into claims made by Mr Gwamnishu about the alleged abduction and extortion of citizens by police. Some victims eventually got back money that had been taken from them.
The activist gained national attention in 2024 after accusing officers of the Force Criminal Investigation Department of extorting N3 million from a resident in Edo State. This led to an official police inquiry.
In April 2025, Mr Gwamnishu resigned as senior special assistant on civil society and youth mobilization to Governor Oborevwori. He cited worsening security and the government's failure to act on his recommendations as the reasons.
PREMIUM TIMES reported that he blamed the rise in kidnapping and robbery on his decision to step down.
Recently, he became a strong voice demanding justice for Delta resident Oghenemine Ogidi, also known as Mene Ogidi. He was allegedly shot by a police officer in Effurun, causing protests and more scrutiny of police actions in the state.
Police have not explained the allegations
The police in Delta have not clearly explained the allegations mentioned in the invitation letter or how Mr Gwamnishu relates to the crimes being investigated.
As of Monday, the command had not released any statement regarding the issue.
Mr Gwamnishu is expected to meet with investigators in Asaba on Thursday.
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