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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Culture & Society

VIDEO: Sowore falls during Abuja protest as security operatives fire teargas

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Activist Omoyele Sowore fell during a Democracy Day protest in Abuja after security operatives allegedly fired teargas at demonstrators.
  • The protest, part of a nationwide mobilization, addressed worsening insecurity, economic hardship, and deteriorating living conditions.
  • Videos show Sowore on the ground amidst confusion, with protesters attempting to assist him as security forces dispersed the crowd.

Activist and presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore reportedly fell during a Democracy Day protest in Abuja on Friday. Security operatives allegedly deployed teargas at demonstrators gathered in front of the Force Headquarters, leading to the incident.

Them don start. Police are already shooting. Sowore don faint ohh. Nigeria police.

— ProtestersShouted during the commotion as Sowore fell to the ground.

The protest was part of a nationwide action called by a coalition of civic groups, labor activists, and social movements. They designated June 12 as a day for mass action to protest against the country's worsening insecurity, rising economic hardship, and deteriorating living conditions.

Videos circulating online depict Sowore on the ground amid the ensuing chaos, with other protesters attempting to revive him by fanning him with placards. Shouts of "Them don start. Police are already shooting. Sowore don faint ohh. Nigeria police" were heard during the commotion.

Yeah.

— Omoyele SoworeSowore's response when asked if he was stable after being helped into a vehicle.

As the situation escalated, Sowore was helped into a vehicle to recover, covering his nose with a red handkerchief. Eyewitness videos also showed protesters struggling to navigate the disorganization as security operatives continued to disperse the crowd with teargas. The condition of Sowore at the time of reporting remained unknown, and no official statement had been released by security agencies regarding the incident.

They are still shooting more tear gas.

— WomanObserved during the escalation of the protest.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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