Nigeria

Sowore Hospitalised After Allegedly Collapsing Amid Police-Protester Clash in Abuja

Sowore Hospitalised After Allegedly Collapsing Amid Police-Protester Clash in Abuja

By Divine Macaulay ยท

Sowore Hospitalised After Allegedly Collapsing Amid Police-Protester Clash in Abuja

Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, was reportedly rushed to an undisclosed hospital after allegedly collapsing during a protest in Abuja on Friday.

According to reports, Sowore fell to the ground and struggled to breathe after police officers fired teargas to disperse protesters gathered in the nation's capital.

The demonstration was organised to draw attention to the worsening security situation in Nigeria, following a series of deadly attacks and killings recorded across different parts of the country in recent weeks.

Eyewitnesses said the protest initially proceeded peacefully before turning chaotic when security operatives moved to prevent demonstrators from advancing beyond a restricted area.

Sources at the scene disclosed that several protesters fled for safety as teargas canisters were fired by police officers. Sowore, who was among those leading the protest, was reportedly overwhelmed by the fumes.

"He collapsed shortly after the teargas was fired. People around him quickly rushed to assist him before he was taken away for medical attention," an eyewitness said.

Videos circulating online showed tense scenes at the protest venue, with demonstrators confronting security personnel while others scrambled to escape the teargas.

As of the time of filing this report, Sowore's condition had not been officially confirmed. The Nigeria Police Force had also yet to issue a statement regarding the incident.

The development comes amid growing public concern over rising insecurity in the country, with citizens and civil society organisations urging the Federal Government to take urgent and decisive steps to safeguard lives and property.