Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore has accused security operatives of attacking peaceful demonstrators during the #FreeNnamdiKanu protest held in Abuja on Monday.
Speaking on The Morning Brief programme on Channels Television, Sowore alleged that security personnel opened fire shortly after the protest commenced in front of the Transcorp Hilton Hotel. He claimed that the rally, which was intended to be peaceful, was disrupted by a combined team of police, army, and civil defence officers.
According to Sowore, several participants were arrested, including Nnamdi Kanu’s younger brother and his lawyer, who were allegedly beaten before being taken to the Federal Capital Territory 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,” Sowore said.
He added that about ten security trucks arrived at the protest scene soon after it began, insisting that the demonstrators had not engaged in any provocation.
“There was no provocation on our part. It was an orderly and peaceful protest. Suddenly, from nowhere, they started shooting—tear gas and some live bullets were fired. Luckily, I don’t think anybody was hit,” he explained.
Sowore further condemned what he described as an unprovoked assault on citizens exercising their constitutional rights, noting that none of his team members sustained gunshot injuries.
The activist has also repeatedly criticised the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), calling the process “a sham designed to obstruct justice” and urging the Federal Government to present its evidence in court.
Security agents on Monday were reported to have fired tear gas and live rounds to disperse the protesters, who defied police warnings and court restrictions to demand Kanu’s release.
Chanting slogans such as “Free Nnamdi Kanu now” and “It’s our constitutional right to protest”, the demonstrators were eventually forced to disperse as officers advanced on the crowd.
