The Publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, and other activists have spent the wee hours of the New Year in police custody for holding a protest in Abuja.
Before his arrest, Sowore has sent out a series of tweets calling on Nigerians to join him on a protest against the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
He tweeted, “How about a crossover protest/uprising tonight? Anyone willing to participate? Pick up a candle and a placard showing your grievances against the regime; let’s upload our short videos and photos across our social media platforms. Let’s welcome the regime to a resolute 2021!
“#CrossoverWithProtest against tyrant @mbuhari’s regime, candlelight for #LekkiMassacre; a placard for #EndBadGovernment; procession to usher in #Revolutionary 2021, a fist for victims of repression-frozen bank accounts, malicious prosecution and detention of #Endsars activists.
“#Crossoverwithprotest starts at 11.30 till 12.30 am across Nigeria, a candle, a placard and fireworks to usher in a RESOLUTE 2021 in Nigeria! Join with your friends and neighbours #EndSARS. #ObigboMassacre #LekkiMassacre #EndBadGoveranceInNigeria #BuhariTrainwreck #RevolutionNow.”
According to The Punch, scores of armed policemen around the midnight accosted the protesters at Gudu Junction injuring some of them in the process.
They were subsequently taken to a police unit infamously known as ‘Abattoir’ in the Lokogoma area of the FCT.
Sowore was declared a prisoner of conscience by Amnesty International in 2019, Buhari administration detained him for several months for allegedly calling for a revolution.
The prisoner of conscience was denied bail several times. He was even re-arrested inside the Federal High Court. He was released after local and international pressure in December 2019.
Sowore is currently standing trial for alleged treason.
The Federal Capital Territory’s Police Public Relations, Mariam Yusuf, refused to speak when he was contacted for comment on Friday.
The activist’s lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), had confirmed the arrest. He said he had not been able to locate his client because the police failed to reveal his location.
Falana added that there was no basis for the arrest, adding that Sowore had not flouted his bail conditions.
