Human rights activist and leader of the #FreeNnamdiKanuProtest, Omoyele Sowore, has been arrested by security operatives at the Federal High Court in Abuja. His arrest comes after he led protesters demanding the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, despite a court order restricting demonstrations within the Three Arms Zone.
Confirming the development, the Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, said Sowore was arrested for violating the ban on protests in sensitive government areas. According to Hundeyin, the protest led by Sowore ignored police warnings and disrupted public peace around the Federal High Court premises. He added that investigations are ongoing, and the activist will face due legal process.
Earlier, Sowore had announced the arrest of 13 protesters, including Nnamdi Kanu’s brother and lawyer, during the Monday protest in Abuja. The demonstrators had insisted that the Federal Government must release the IPOB leader unconditionally.
Efforts to reach the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, for further comment were unsuccessful, as calls placed to her line were not answered. However, a source who spoke to Mediaplusng.com revealed that Sowore was arrested by a team of police officers shortly after leaving the Federal High Court.
According to Mediaplusng.com, the police had earlier cautioned protesters to stay away from restricted areas within the capital city. Despite the warning, Sowore maintained that peaceful protest remains a constitutional right and vowed to continue speaking against what he described as injustice.
The arrest of Sowore has sparked renewed conversations on citizens’ right to peaceful protest, freedom of expression, and government accountability in Nigeria.
