Political activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) have condemned the arrest of human rights activist and journalist Omoyele Sowore by the Nigeria Police, alongside several other citizens who were reportedly protesting peacefully across the country under the banner of the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow movement.
The protesters had gathered in Abuja and other cities on Monday, demanding the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who has been in prolonged detention despite several court rulings granting him bail.
Witnesses said security operatives dispersed the peaceful demonstrators and arrested several participants, including Sowore, who was reportedly picked up inside a courtroom.
Reacting to the development, Atiku said:
“I have just been informed of the arrest of human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, @YeleSowore, by the Nigeria Police, as well as the arrest of several other citizens who were peacefully protesting in different parts of the country.
“I am shocked and disappointed, but not surprised. Shocked that in 2025, decades after we defeated military rule, this government still treats dissent as a crime. Disappointed because those in power today once thrived on protests. But not surprised, for Bola Tinubu continues to show Nigerians exactly who he is and what he intends to be, if we allow him.
“Sowore’s arrest inside a courtroom is a new low, an open assault on democracy and a grave symbol of this administration’s contempt for the rule of law. The arrest of other peaceful protesters across the country only deepens the stain. Protest is not a crime; it is a constitutional right.
“I therefore demand the immediate and unconditional release of Omoyele Sowore and all those arrested during and after the protest. This government must end its persistent harassment of dissenting voices.
“Democracy cannot coexist with tyranny.”
Similarly, SERAP issued a strong statement condemning the crackdown and calling for the unconditional release of all detained protesters.
“The Tinubu administration must immediately and unconditionally release journalist Omoyele Sowore and other protesters reportedly arbitrarily arrested following a peaceful protest on Monday in Abuja.
“No one should ever be arrested simply for peacefully exercising their human rights.
“The authorities must immediately release Omoyele Sowore and all the protesters arbitrarily detained and end the violations of protesters’ rights.
“Peaceful assembly is a fundamental right.
T”he Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended], the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Nigeria is a state party, guarantee the rights of everyone to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
“Nigerian authorities must uphold and ensure the effective enjoyment of these fundamental rights.”
Both Atiku and SERAP’s statements have added to the growing chorus of outrage over what many describe as a deepening intolerance for dissent and a continued erosion of democratic freedoms under the current administration.
