#FreeSowore trends as Omoyele Sowore, other activists get arrested in Abuja

#FreeSowre has been trending on Twitter following reports Omoyele Sowore and other activists were brutalised and arrested by security forces in Abuja.

Sowore and other activists were reportedly carrying out a peaceful procession to mark the New Year. The activists were almost done with their crossover procession when about seven loaded vans of the Nigerian security forces swooped on them, brutalising everyone at sight, SaharaReporters reports.

Yele Sowore is from Ese-Odo, Ondo State in South West Nigeria. Sowore was born in the Niger Delta region of the country (comprising six states in South-South region, Ondo, Abia and Imo States) where he was also raised in a polygamous home with sixteen children.

At 12, he learned to ride a motorcycle so that he could go to the lake to go fishing for food for his entire family every morning before going to school. Sowore’s passion and desire in media was propelled during the military rule in Nigeria

The publication adds that eyewitnesses say police officers suspected to be the Rapid Response Squad stormed Gudu junction in Abuja, wounding Sowore before whisking him away with other activists from the location.

They were taken to Abattoir police station of the allegedly disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) unit in Abuja, where they are allegedly being tortured and detained.

Journalist/activist Oluwatosin Adeniji tweeted: “UPDATE: It has been confirmed that @PoliceNG abducted @YeleSowore and a few others. They were mortally injured and are currently at a police station called Abattoir in Abuja. #FreeSowore #Jan1st.”

She added: “@YeleSowore complained of nose bleeding when I spoke with him. He wasn’t sounding great. @PoliceNG nothing must happen to him and the others #FreeSowore.”

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