Police Disperse Pro-Nnamdi Kanu Protesters In Abuja

…Live Bullets Were Fired At Us, Nnamdi Kanu’s Brother Beaten, Arrested — Sowore

Protesters, who are agitating for the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, have fled the protest ground after combined security forces released live bullets.

The protesters, led by the convener of the #RevolutionNow movement and former Presidential candidate of African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, gathered as early as 6:50am around the headquarters of Women Affairs ministry.

The security forces drawn from the Nigerian police, Guards Brigade, Department of State Services (DSS) and NSCDC, had beefed up security around Presidential Villa, since Sunday.

They mounted road blocks at strategic places leading to the Presidential Villa, National Assembly, Court of Appeal Headquarters, Force Headquarters and the popular Eagle Square.

Meanwhile, human rights activist Omoyele Sowore has accused security operatives of launching an unprovoked attack on peaceful protesters during Monday’s #FreeNnamdiKanu rally in Abuja.

Sowore, who spoke on the Monday edition of The Morning Brief on Channels Television, alleged that security forces opened fire shortly after the protest began at the front of the Transcorp Hilton Abuja.

He also confirmed that some individuals were arrested during the incident, including Nnamdi Kanu’s younger brother and his lawyer, who were allegedly beaten before being taken to the Nigeria Police Force FCT Command.

“Eventually, they did arrest some people. I heard Nnamdi Kanu’s younger brother was arrested and beaten, and his lawyer was also arrested and beaten. They’ve all been taken to the FCT Command,” he said.

“There were about 10 trucks that arrived as soon as we started the protest. There was no provocation on our part, like we had promised, it was an orderly and peaceful protest.

“Suddenly, from nowhere, they started shooting at us, tear gas, some live bullets were fired. Luckily, I don’t think anybody was hit with live bullets, but they were just shooting all around us,” he said.

The human rights activist also alleged that a combined team of the police, army, and civil defence personnel carried out the operation.

He, however, confirmed that no member of his protest team was hit by the live rounds fired.

Sowore also earlier criticised the prolonged detention of Kanu, describing the process as “a sham designed to obstruct justice” and calling on the Federal Government to present its evidence before the court.