Updated: Police Deny Shooting Former Presidential Candidate in Abuja
- The FCT police command has reacted to reports which claimed that a journalist, Omoyele Sowore, was injured by a police officer
- The command explained how its officers dispersed protesters who converged at the Unity Fountain in Abuja
- Sowore, who is a popular journalist, was once arrested by the State Security Service for organising a revolution now protest
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The Federal Capital Territory Police (FCT) command has dismissed claims that one of its officers shot a teargas canister at Omoyele Sowore on Monday, May 31.
Sowore had claimed that he was injured by a tear gas canister during a protest at the Unity Fountain in Abuja.
Source: Twitter
He disclosed the incident on his Twitter handle, saying he is not afraid of losing his life in the struggle.
Sowore said:
''Just been shit by a police officer, ACP Atine at the Unity Fountain in Abuja. #RevolutionNow Let the struggle continue even if they take my life! #BuhariMustGo''
The journalist also shared the encounter with the police on Facebook.
However, the FCT police command discredited Sowore's account.
The command stated that officers deployed to disperse the protesters professionally restored calm at the protest venue, The Punch reported.
The spokesperson for the command, Mariam Yusuf, said the police prevented Sowore and other protesters from breaking the law.
He said:
“The protesters, who went on the rampage, were resisted by police operatives in order to prevent them from causing a breakdown of the law and order. There is no record of such an incident as of the time of this release.''
The police reaffirmed its commitment towards the protection of lives and property within the in Abuja.
It also urged residents to remain calm and law-abiding.
Meanwhile, a total of 127 civil society groups on Friday, May 28 staged protests across Nigeria calling attention to the violence, lawlessness, and bloodletting that have taken over all parts of the country.
The groups urged the presidency to provide political and moral leadership for the security crisis and ensure governmental actions are humane in tandem with section 17 (2)(C) of the Nigerian Constitution.
At the protests in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja covered by Legit.ng, organisers of the processions, Joint Action Civil Society Coalition, called on the government to act fast.
Source: Legit.ng
