By The Nigeria Times Staffers
Amnesty International has strongly condemned the use of force against peaceful demonstrators during Nigeria’s Democracy Day protest in Abuja, accusing authorities of undermining the very freedoms June 12 is meant to celebrate.
The global human rights organization reacted after activist and African Action Congress 2027 presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, reportedly collapsed and was rushed to hospital following the deployment of teargas by security operatives at Unity Fountain, Abuja.
In a statement issued on Friday, Amnesty International described the incident as a “reckless attack on peaceful protesters” and demanded an immediate, independent investigation into what it called the deliberate targeting of Sowore and other demonstrators.
“The Nigerian authorities are clearly using violence to crack down on human rights, including the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly,” the organization stated.
Amnesty further argued that targeting citizens for participating in peaceful demonstrations violates both Nigeria’s constitutional guarantees and its international human rights obligations.
The incident occurred during a Democracy Day protest organized by a coalition of civic groups, labour activists, youth organizations, and social movements protesting worsening economic hardship, insecurity, and declining living standards across the country.
Videos circulating on social media showed Sowore lying on the ground amid confusion as fellow protesters attempted to assist him after security personnel allegedly dispersed the crowd with teargas near the Force Headquarters.
The rights group warned that the crackdown reflects a growing pattern of hostility toward civic activism and dissent under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The development has sparked renewed debate over the state of democratic freedoms in Nigeria, with critics questioning the symbolism of celebrating Democracy Day while protesters demanding accountability face forceful dispersal.
As public reactions continue to mount, pressure is growing on authorities to explain the circumstances surrounding the incident and reassure Nigerians that the constitutional rights to peaceful assembly and free expression will be protected.
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