They Won’t Attack Us If We Were Bandits – Sowore
Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has condemned the Nigerian police for attacking peaceful demonstrators during the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest in Abuja, warning that the situation could spiral out of control if the federal government fails to act.
Sowore, who organized the protest demanding the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, recounted that security operatives tear-gassed protesters at various locations across the Federal Capital Territory, including Utako, Gudu, Apo, and Transcorp.
Speaking on Prime Time, an Arise Television programme, Sowore alleged that the police attacked them because they were peaceful protesters. “Police attacked us because we were peaceful protesters. If we were bandits, they would not come near us,” he said.
The activist lamented the use of excessive force against non-violent demonstrators, stressing that their demand for Kanu’s release was a legitimate expression of citizenship rights. “Nobody can stop this spirit that has been awakened, and that is to ensure that we bring our brother home,” he said.
He further explained that despite repeated police crackdowns, the protesters remained resolute. “When we went to Transcorp, they tear-gassed us; we relocated to Utako, they tear-gassed us again, and then to Apo, which had the biggest turnout,” he stated.
Warning the government against continued suppression of peaceful dissent, Sowore said, “Very soon this will get out of hand if they don’t do something about releasing Nnamdi Kanu. We are not threatening violence; we are just saying that in this country we all deserve the right to be citizens. If you don’t want Nigerians to be citizens in their country, then let those who want to go, go.”
Sowore reaffirmed his commitment to a non-violent approach but cautioned that future generations may not remain as patient. “Fortunately, we have chosen a no-violence approach to resolving issues, but a generation will come that will not accept this nonsense,” he added.