Sowore Alleges Security Forces Fired Live Bullets, Beat Nnamdi Kanu’s Brother and Lawyer

Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore has publicly accused security operatives of launching an unprovoked attack on peaceful participants during the #FreeNnamdiKanu rally held in Abuja on Monday. Sowore’s account details a harsh and immediate crackdown by a large security contingent as soon as the demonstration commenced, resulting in arrests and injuries.

The activist conveyed these serious allegations during an interview on the Channels Television programme, ‘The Morning Brief,’ on Monday. He alleged that security forces initiated the attack shortly after the protest began at the front of the Transcorp Hilton Abuja.

Dependable NG reports that Sowore confirmed that several individuals were apprehended during the chaotic dispersal. Critically, he claimed that Nnamdi Kanu’s younger brother and Kanu’s lawyer were both arrested and subjected to beatings before being transported to the Nigeria Police Force FCT Command.

“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 detailed the rapid mobilisation of the security forces: “There were about 10 trucks that arrived as soon as we started the protest.” He was emphatic that the protesters had given no reason for the aggressive response, maintaining that the demonstration was “orderly and peaceful” as promised by the organisers.

Sowore went on to describe the nature of the force used: “Suddenly, from nowhere, they started shooting at us, tear gas, and some live bullets were fired.” While expressing relief that he did not believe anyone was struck by the live rounds, he stressed that the security personnel were “just shooting all around us,” confirming a highly dangerous level of force was deployed to crush the peaceful demonstration demanding the release of the IPOB leader.