Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has strongly condemned what he described as the violent suppression of peaceful protesters at the Kwara State Government House, accusing the state government of intolerance and disregard for citizens’ constitutional rights.
In a statement shared on his verified social media page on Monday, Sowore reacted to a video showing women and children protesting peacefully over alleged mass kidnappings and worsening insecurity in parts of Kwara State. According to him, the protesters were reportedly attacked by suspected hired thugs while security operatives looked on.
Sowore described the incident as “one of the most despicable scenes” he has witnessed at a seat of government, alleging that the women protesters were beaten, harassed, and humiliated in broad daylight.
He expressed particular concern over the alleged conduct of officers of the Nigeria Police Force, who he said were present at the scene but failed to intervene to protect the protesters.
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“I unequivocally condemn Governor Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq’s intolerance and high-handedness in sanctioning, or at the very least permitting, such barbaric acts against citizens exercising their constitutional right to protest,” Sowore stated.
He further noted that violence against women and children during a peaceful protest is unacceptable in any democratic society and undermines the rule of law.
Sowore called on the Nigeria Police Force to immediately identify and sanction officers who allegedly abdicated their responsibility to protect lives and property. He also demanded the arrest and prosecution of those who carried out the assault, warning that failure to act decisively would amount to official complicity.
As of the time of filing this report, Kwara State Government and the Nigeria Police Force had not issued an official response to the allegations raised by Sowore or the video circulating online.
The incident has since sparked renewed debate on citizens’ right to peaceful protest, security accountability, and the handling of public dissent by authorities in Nigeria.
