ABUJA: Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has accused Nigerian security operatives of opening fire on peaceful demonstrators during Monday’s #FreeNnamdiKanu rally in Abuja.
Sowore, who spoke on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, described the incident as an unprovoked attack on citizens exercising their constitutional rights to peaceful assembly.
According to him, security personnel comprising police, soldiers, and civil defence officers fired live ammunition and tear gas at protesters shortly after they gathered in front of the Transcorp Hilton Hotel.
There were about 10 trucks that arrived as soon as we started the protest. There was no provocation on our part; it was an orderly and peaceful protest.
Suddenly, from nowhere, they started shooting at us tear gas, and even some live bullets. Fortunately, no one was hit,” Sowore said.
He confirmed that some demonstrators, including Nnamdi Kanu’s younger brother and one of his lawyers, were arrested and allegedly beaten before being taken to the FCT Police Command.
Eventually, they arrested 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,” he added.
Earlier reports indicated that police operatives had arrived at major protest points ahead of time, mounting heavy security around the Federal Secretariat, Eagle Square, Unity Fountain, and the Three Arms Zone.
Roads leading to these areas were blocked, while Unity Fountain — the rally’s take-off point was sealed off, restricting movement of both motorists and pedestrians.
Elsewhere in the city, a combined team of soldiers and police officers fired tear gas near the Nigeria Union of Journalists Secretariat in the Utako area, prompting residents and bystanders to flee.
The demonstration defied an interim injunction by Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court restricting protests around key government institutions, including the Presidential Villa, the National Assembly, and Eagle Square.
Police had warned groups to obey the order or face arrest, citing plans to use digital evidence to track instigators online.
Sowore, however, questioned the legitimacy of the injunction, insisting that it was selectively applied.
There is no valid order stopping peaceful protest. Why are there no similar injunctions against those opposing Kanu’s release? he queried, noting that over 100 lawyers were ready to challenge the court order once served.
Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), was first arrested in 2015 on treason charges.
After being granted bail, he fled the country during trial and was later re-arrested in Kenya in 2021 before being extradited to Nigeria.
The Federal High Court recently dismissed his no-case submission, allowing terrorism-related charges against him to proceed.
His legal team has repeatedly raised concerns about his health and requested his transfer to the National Hospital, Abuja.
Several southeastern leaders and political groups have continued to call for his release as part of efforts to calm tensions in the region.
Monday’s protest also coincided with the fifth anniversary of the #EndSARS movement, which demanded police reform and accountability for victims of brutality.
Nigerians across the country continue to commemorate the October 2020 events, especially the Lekki Toll Gate incident that claimed multiple lives.
