Publisher of Saharareporters and human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, and others have been arrested in Abuja for organising a “candlelight” protest march in Abuja against the tyrannical administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
The police broke into the peaceful and organised march on Friday night around Gudu Area of Abuja, injuring Sowore in the process and arresting him along with some other members of the group.
Before the group embarked on the march, Sowore had gone to his twitter handle to release information to the public about the group’s intention and to invite interested persons to join armed with a candle stick and placard showing their grievances against the administration.
Sowore’s tweets: “How about a crossover protest/uprising tonight? Anyone willing to participate? Pick up a candle and a placard showing your grievances against the regime; let’s upload our short videos and photos across our social media platforms. Let’s welcome the regime to a resolute 2021!
“#CrossoverWithProtest against tyrant @mbuhari’s regime, candlelight for #LekkiMassacre; a placard for #EndBadGovernment; procession to usher in #Revolutionary 2021, a fist for victims of repression-frozen bank accounts, malicious prosecution and detention of #Endsars activists.
“#Crossoverwithprotest starts at 11.30 till 12.30 am across Nigeria, a candle, a placard and fireworks to usher in a RESOLUTE 2021 in Nigeria! Join with your friends and neighbours #EndSARS. #ObigboMassacre #LekkiMassacre #EndBadGoveranceInNigeria #BuhariTrainwreck #RevolutionNow.”
Witnesses said hadly had the group gone far when policemen attached to the Rapid Response Squad swooped on Sowore and others at Gudu junction in Abuja to disrupt the march.
Sowore and his colleagues were thrown into the Police vans and driven away to a Police Station in the vicinity of Gudu where they have since been detained.
SERAP said on New Year Day that it would take legal/international action if Sowore and others were not released within 48 hours.
Sowore, declared a prisoner of conscience by Amnesty International in 2019, had been imprisoned for several months by the Buhari-led administration for allegedly calling for a revolution.
Sowore’s lawyer, Mr Femi Falana, SAN, confirmed his arrest along with others.
He said he had not been able to find his client because the police had failed to reveal where he was.
Nigerians have reportedly condemned the Nigerian government for arresting the convener of #RevolutionNow, and demanded his immediate release from the custody of the Nigeria Police.
Festus Afofun wrote, “So @PoliceNG can arrest Sowore but can’t arrest armed bandits (sic). They can’t arrest Boko Haram. Is Sowore the problem of Nigeria? Why are they afraid of @YeleSowore? #FreeSoworeNow.”
“Let @MBuhari face the security challenges in his country and leave Sowore alone,” Ade Anike (@a_doy24) tweeted.
Jenny B. (@JennyB15040691) said: “This government of @MBuhari, what are you guys up to this time? Senseless government, #FreeSowore because he didn’t commit any crime.”
E Dust IG (@iam_edust @EDust15) responded, “I hear @YeleSowore just got arrested again in Abuja! Nothing must happen to Mr Sowore – this government clearly has nothing against him, that’s why they couldn’t prove it in court and decided to kidnap (him) overnight.”
“What law did Sowore break?” Jeje of Lagos (@jejeoflagos) demanded. “In Nigeria people get oppressed and they blame the oppressed.” (With additional reports by SR/TNG)
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