Sowore: Police Tear-Gassed Us Because We Were Peaceful — They Wouldn’t Dare If We Were Bandits
Story: written by Daniel October 21,2025
Human rights campaigner, Omoyele Sowore, has condemned the police for attacking peaceful demonstrators who gathered in Abuja to demand the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Speaking on Arise Television’s Prime Time, Sowore said the peaceful protest, held across several parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), was met with unnecessary force by security operatives.
According to him, “The demonstration wasn’t just online; it happened physically across Abuja. We had large turnouts in places like Utako, Gudu, and Apo, where the biggest crowd gathered before we marched to the FCT police command — and that’s where we were tear-gassed mercilessly.”
Sowore criticised the police response, arguing that security forces only confront peaceful citizens while ignoring violent criminals. “They attacked us simply because we were peaceful. If we were bandits, they wouldn’t have dared to come close,” he said.
He reaffirmed his commitment to non-violent advocacy but warned that future generations might not tolerate such state oppression. “We have chosen a peaceful path, but a time will come when the next generation won’t accept this kind of injustice,” Sowore stated.
