Omoyele Sowore, the convener of the #FreeNnamdiKanu protest, has accused the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies of unprovoked attacks during the demonstration.
He claims that officers fired live ammunition at protesters, forcing him and others to flee for their lives. A video circulating on social media shows Sowore and other organizers running as gunshots ring out in the background.
The protest, aimed at calling for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has garnered support from various groups, including Igbo leaders and civil society organizations.
However, it has also faced criticism from some quarters. An Igbo group recently condemned Sowore and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for their involvement in the protest, labeling it a political maneuver.
The incident has sparked widespread condemnation. Paul Ibe, media aide to Atiku Abubakar, described the police’s actions as a “shameful abuse of power,” emphasizing that the use of force against peaceful protesters is unacceptable.
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In a related development, a journalist from Agence France-Presse (AFP) accused the police of damaging his camera and seizing his phone while covering the protest. The journalist, John Okunyomih, was reportedly detained but has since been released.
The #FreeNnamdiKanu protest continues to draw attention to issues of human rights and freedom of expression in Nigeria. Organizers have vowed to persist in their efforts until their demands are met.
