Sowore Reportedly Teargassed During Protest in Abuja

The Publicity Secretary of African Action Congress (AAC), Olorunfemi Adeyeye, has given more details on how Omoyele Sowore was shot with a teargas canister in Abuja on Monday.

Mr Sowore was the flag bearer of the party in the 2019 presidential election.

PREMIUM TIMES earlier broke the news of how a female officer directly fired a tear gas canister at him.

The less-lethal weapon, usually used to disperse rioters, is hot enough to cause burns on the skin.

As of the time of filing this report, Mr Sowore is in the hospital in the city, receiving medical treatment.

However, in an interview with PREMIUM TIMES, Mr Adeyeye said the police officer identified as ACP Atine targeted Mr Sowore, who alongside other activists were protesting against the worsening security situation in Nigeria at Unity Fountain in Abuja.

“People were assembled already, right beside the Unity Fountain, but while we were getting close, there was an intelligence information that they should lock the gate, hearing that Sowore will be participating in a protest.

“While we got there, we were trying to engage with the police officers (most senior of them) who then said it’s an order from the commissioner of police that there should not be demonstrations. We tried to contest that. In fact, we even called the CP and he said he was not aware of such order. We told them that it is unlawful and that you cannot dictate that people should not protest. Not at this particular time when insecurity, which is the major problem, is ravaging the country.

“People were converging and more persons were joining. We’ve not even started anything when this police officer, ACP Atine, mobilised police officers to the place and the first was a shot. It was directed to him — At a very close range.”