Human rights activist and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has accused the Nigeria Police Force of brutalising Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyer, Barrister Aloy Ejimakor, his brother Emmanuel Kanu, and several others while in detention.
Sowore made the allegation in a statement on Wednesday, following his meeting with the detained individuals who were arrested during the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest at Kuje Prison.
He revealed that he met with Ejimakor, Emmanuel Kanu, Barrister Wisdom Okere, and 10 other protesters, all of whom were reportedly manhandled by security operatives.
“We had a productive meeting today with Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyer, Barrister Aloy Ejimakor, his brother Emmanuel Kanu, Barr. Wisdom Okere, and 10 others who were arrested and brutalised by the Nigeria Police Force for participating in a peaceful #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest at Kuje Prison,”.
He added that despite their ordeal, the detainees remained resilient and in high spirits, vowing to continue their campaign against injustice and oppression.
“Despite the challenges they face, they are all in high spirits as we push for their release to continue the fight against oppression,” he said.
Sowore, however, expressed dismay that after their meeting on Monday, the police allegedly subjected the detainees to further inhumane treatment, including the use of teargas within police premises before transferring them to the notorious Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) detention facility, known as “Abattoir.”
“Unfortunately, the FCT Police Command further maltreated them after we parted ways, by heavily unleashing tear gas against them within their premises before detaining them at the notorious SARS Abattoir,” he alleged.
The activist condemned the police’s handling of the protesters, describing it as a gross violation of human rights and an attempt to silence lawful agitation.