Monday, 31 May 2021: There have been rumours that the social activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore was shot on 31st May by a female Assistant Commissioner of Policeduring a protest at the Unity Fountain Abuja.
Sowore on his Twitter handle shared a picture of himself with an injury on his right thigh; another picture of him lying down on a stretcher in a hospital ward also went viral.
@YeleSowore, said: “Just been shot by a police officer, ACP Atine at the Unity Fountain in Abuja. #RevolutionNow
“Let the struggle continue even if they take my life! #BuhariMustGo.”
Sowore stated that they were trying to organize a protest to address the security challenges in the country when they heard gunshots and a teargas canister hit his right leg.
He and other protester had assembled early at the Unity Fountain where they plan to stage a protest before it was disrupted.
CEOAFRICA gathered that Sowore was rushed to Wellington hospital Abuja for medical attention but he left shorty preferring to be attended to by his personal doctor.
One of Sowore’s lawyers, Inibehe Effiong revealed that the activist was not shot as widely reported in many media outfits, but he was teargassed by a female police.
“Omoyele Sowore has just been shot by a female police officer at the Unity Fountain in Abuja. He is being taken to the hospital for treatment.”
“The officer fired a teargas canister directly at his right thigh. Sowore was specifically targeted.”
Spokesperson of the Command ASP Mariam Yusuf, in a statement, clarified: “Contrary to the speculation, Police operatives professionally restored calm at the Unity Fountain following attempts by a group of protesters to incite public disturbance.
“The protesters who went on the rampage were resisted by Police Operatives in order to prevent them from causing a breakdown of law and order. There is no record of such incident as at the time of this release.” He said.
The Command enjoined residents to remain calm and law-abiding while reaffirming its commitment towards the protection of lives and property within the Federal Capital Territory.
