Global rights group, Amnesty International and Human Rights lawyer have condemned the alleged shooting of a citizen journalist and activist, Omoyele Sowore, in the Maitama area of Abuja.
The incident, which occurred on Monday, left Sowore with an injury on his thigh and led to the abortion of a mobilisation rally against insecurity in the country.
The Amnesty International stated that protesters deserved to be listened to, not shot at. It, therefore, called on the Federal Government to investigate the alleged shooting and bring the perpetrators to justice In a terse statement, the international body said:
“Amnesty International received disturbing reports that activist Omoyele Sowore was shot by the police, during a protest against rampant insecurity in Abuja. Protesters deserved to be listened to, not shot at. “We call on the Nigerian authorities to investigate the incident and bring perpetrators to justice.”
Adegoruwa, SAN in a statement said the Federal Government should be held responsible if anything untoward happens to Sowore.
He said, I urge all Nigerians and indeed the international community to hold the government of President Muhammadu Buhari responsible for anything that befalls Mr. Sowore on account of the lawful exercise of his fundamental rights. The Unity Fountain is a public place, where other citizens have held protests in support of the Buhari administration in recent past, without let or hindrance and even with police escorts.”
“In the period when President Muhammadu Buhari was leading the opposition politicians, he led several protests across the country, without anyone shooting at him or other protesters. The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in its section 40 allows freedom of assembly and in section 39, it grants to every citizen freedom of expression. I urge the police authorities to accord full respect for the fundamental rights of all citizens without the usual provovations.
‘’Mr. Sowore has been the target of criminal prosecution, on account of his non-violent campaign for good governance and accountability. In consequence, he has been restricted to the city of Abuja, outside his home and work place, away from his family and loved ones. I urge the government to allow Mr. Sowore be and not to deploy the instruments of state coercion against a single individual, all in the attempt to break and silence him.
‘’The lesson of the EndSARS campaign is to get all law enforcement agencies to embrace universal rules of civil engagements in order to avoid the usual casualties that follow their intervention in civil interactions with citizens.
‘’We cannot run a nation where everyone is held captive and hounded into compulsory silence. Consequently, I urge all protesters to remain peaceful and law abiding, while the government and its agents should follow the procedure of the rule of law in the maintenance of law and order’’.
