Omoyele Sowore allegedly shot by police officer during protest in Abuja [VIDEO]

Former presidential candidate and publisher of online news medium, Sahara Reporters, Mr Omoyele Sowore, on Monday, has been allegedly shot by a female police officer at Unity Fountain in Abuja.

Sowore was preparing to hold a rally with some associates when the incident occurred at the Unity Fountain in Abuja. Footage of the incident revealed Sowore falling on the ground after the canister hit him.

A lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, stated that he watched the shooting live on Facebook. He tweeted, “@YeleSowore has just been shot by a female police officer at the Unity Fountain in Abuja. The criminal officer is said to be an ACP. I watched Sowore being shot live on Facebook.”

Sowore’s lawyer, Mr Inibehe Effiong, who also confirmed the incident to our reporter, disclosed that his client was at the venue for a mass mobilisation of protesters ahead of a national protest against insecurity on June 12.

Effiong said, “Yes, Omoyele Sowore was shot. Though he didn’t die, he sustained an injury. He was at the Unity Fountain to mobilise Nigerians ahead of a grand protest against insecurity on June 12.

“While he and other members of the #RevolutionNow movement were still speaking to the policemen who denied them access to the venue, another combined team of security operatives arrived the venue and shot at him.”

He called it a “tragic day in Nigeria’s civic society space” and requested Nigerians to pray for the activist.

However, Sowore stated, “Take me to the hospital. Please, take me to the hospital. I have just been shot by a woman police officer directly on my thigh. Take me to the hospital, please.”