SERAP Condemns Alleged Assault On Sowore By Police Operatives

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) on Monday condemned the alleged attack on the Publisher of Sahara Reporters and RevolutionNow campaigner, Omoyele Sowore, during a rally in Abuja.

It was earlier reported that Sowore was shot by a police officer in Abuja.

The female police officer reportedly fired a teargas canister at Sowore who was at the Unity Fountain in Abuja for a protest.

In a series of tweets on Twitter, SERAP condemned “reports that Omoyele Sowore, a journalist, and activist, was shot at by the police in Abuja this morning during peaceful protest at the Unity Fountain.

“We condemn reports that Omoyele Sowore, a journalist, and activist, was shot at by the police in Abuja this morning during a peaceful protest at the Unity Fountain”.

BREAKING: We condemn reports that Omoyele Sowore, a journalist, and activist, was shot at by the police in Abuja this morning during peaceful protest at the Unity Fountain.

Authorities should end the crackdown on protesters, and allow people to peacefully exercise their rights.

— SERAP (@SERAPNigeria) May 31, 2021

“Authorities should end the crackdown on protesters, and allow people to peacefully exercise their rights”.

ALSO READ: Police Deny Shooting Sowore ‘Says No Record Of Such Incident’

“Nigerian authorities should promptly, thoroughly, and transparently investigate the allegation of shooting of Sowore and crackdown on protesters, publish the report of their investigation, and ensure that anyone suspected to be responsible is brought to justice”.

“Nigerian authorities should immediately take concrete steps to reverse the longstanding impunity for these kinds of violations and misconduct by law enforcement agencies. Victims and their families deserve nothing less”.

“The Guidelines on Policing Assemblies in Africa, adopted by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, provides that “firearms must never be used to disperse an assembly. Intentional use of lethal force is prohibited unless it is strictly unavoidable to protect life.”

“We’ll hold Nigerian authorities and @PoliceNG to account for the reported shooting of Omoyele Sowore and attacks on protesters at the Unity Fountain”.

“It is unacceptable that @PoliceNG reportedly fired tear gas canisters directly at protesters at the Unity Fountain, instead of above them”.

“The police should only use tear gas when necessary to prevent further physical harm and where possible issue an advance warning”.

“The deliberate use of lethal force is only permissible when it is strictly necessary to protect life”.