Headline:
Sowore Accuses Security Operatives of Attacking Peaceful #FreeNnamdiKanu Protesters in Abuja
Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has accused Nigerian security operatives of launching an unprovoked attack on peaceful demonstrators during the #FreeNnamdiKanu rally held on Monday in Abuja.
Speaking during an interview on The Morning Brief, a Channels Television programme, Sowore recounted that the protest — which began in front of the Transcorp Hilton Hotel — was suddenly disrupted by armed security personnel who opened fire and used tear gas on protesters.
According to him, the demonstration had barely started when security operatives stormed the venue with multiple trucks and began firing shots into the air to disperse participants.
“Eventually, they did arrest some people. I heard Nnamdi Kanu’s younger brother was arrested and beaten, and his lawyer was also arrested and beaten. They’ve all been taken to the FCT Command,” Sowore stated.
He further described the protest as orderly and peaceful, emphasizing that participants had pledged to conduct themselves responsibly.
“There were about 10 trucks that arrived as soon as we started the protest. There was no provocation on our part, like we had promised, it was an orderly and peaceful protest. Suddenly, from nowhere, they started shooting at us, tear gas, and some live bullets were fired,” he explained.
“Luckily, I don’t think anybody was hit with live bullets, but they were just shooting all around us.”
Sowore condemned what he described as an excessive and unwarranted use of force against citizens exercising their constitutional right to peaceful assembly.
The protest was organized to demand the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since his re-arrest in 2021.
As of the time of this report, security authorities have not issued any official statement regarding the alleged assault or arrests made during the rally.
