Human rights activist and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has vowed to continue public protests despite collapsing during a demonstration in Abuja on Friday.
The incident occurred after operatives of the Nigeria Police Force fired tear gas canisters to disperse protesters who had gathered to demonstrate against worsening insecurity and recent killings across the country.
According to eyewitnesses, the protest began peacefully but turned chaotic when security personnel moved to stop demonstrators from advancing beyond a restricted area.
Sowore, who was leading the protest, reportedly inhaled the tear gas fumes, began gasping for air and later collapsed at the scene.
In a statement posted on his X account alongside video footage of the confrontation, Sowore described the incident as an unprovoked attack by the police.
He alleged that security operatives discharged what he described as a strange gas at close range, which he said severely affected his breathing.
Despite the incident, Sowore declared that the protests would continue, insisting that Nigerians have a constitutional right to peaceful assembly and expression.
He further claimed that the actions of security personnel in the Federal Capital Territory reflected what he described as increasing efforts to suppress public dissent and intimidate citizens exercising their democratic rights.
The activist also alleged that the deployment of force against protesters was aimed at silencing opposition voices and discouraging public criticism of government policies.
The protest was organised to draw attention to growing concerns over insecurity in different parts of the country, with participants demanding stronger measures to protect lives and property.
As of the time of filing this report, the Nigeria Police Force had not issued an official response to Sowore’s allegations.
