The Nigeria Police Force on Thursday arrested human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore while he was attending the trial of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The arrest was revealed by lawyer and activist Deji Adeyanju, who posted the development on his social media pages, adding that Sowore was apprehended within the court premises.
According to Adeyanju, “BREAKING: Omoyele Sowore arrested by Nigerian Police at Federal High Court. When will Nigerian Police stop behaving unemployably?”
Sowore, publisher of Sahara Reporters and convener of the #RevolutionNow movement, had attended the court session to show solidarity with Kanu, who is facing terrorism charges imposed by the federal government.
Earlier in the week, Sowore had led a protest in Abuja demanding Kanu's release. The demonstration, which started from the Unity Fountain and moved towards the National Assembly and the Presidential Villa, was attended by many activists and supporters of Kanu.
The protesters, including Kanu's lawyer Alloway Ejimakor and his brother Prince Emmanuel Kanu, held placards with inscriptions such as #FreeNnamdiKanuNow and #StopPersecutingNnamdiKanu. He accused the government of violating Kanu's rights.
Also read: Nnamdi Kanu accepts self-representation after lawyers withdraw from case
Security personnel reportedly dispersed the protest and arrested several participants, including Ejimakor and Emmanuel Kanu.
Sowore later accused Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun of ordering the crackdown, describing it as an attempt to silence activists and suppress dissent.
As of press time, police officials had not issued any statement regarding Sowore's arrest.
