Omoyele Sowore, the African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, has reportedly been kidnapped by armed men in Ekiti State.
The attackers allegedly disarmed the police officer attached to him during the incident.
Human rights activists and lawyers, including Deji Adeyanju, Festus Ogun and Inibehe Effiong, have demanded his immediate release.
Human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has reportedly been kidnapped by armed men in Ekiti State, sparking concern among activists and lawyers who have called for his immediate release.
The incident has drawn reactions from Deji Adeyanju, Inibehe Effiong and Festus Ogun, who have urged the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to intervene and establish his whereabouts.
Sowore reports kidnapping, says his whereabouts are unknown
Sowore disclosed the incident in a post on his social media handle, alleging that armed thugs had taken him away and that his current location was unknown.
The development has raised concerns among his supporters, particularly following reports that the attackers also confronted people accompanying him.
Festus Ogun, a human rights lawyer, called on Nigerian authorities to ensure Sowore’s safety and secure his immediate release.
He expressed concern that the activist had allegedly been taken to an unknown location by armed men in Ekiti State.
Inibehe Effiong raises concern over attack
Lawyer Inibehe Effiong also reacted to the development, describing himself as alarmed by reports of the incident.
He said Sowore was attacked alongside his supporters and called on the Inspector-General of Police to take urgent action to secure his safety.
Inibehe further urged the Nigeria Police Force and the State Security Service (SSS) to address the situation without delay.
He also defended Sowore’s approach to activism, saying:
“Sowore has never resorted to violence in his struggle for a better Nigeria. However, no one has a monopoly of violence.”
Deji Adeyanju condemns attack, demands investigation
Human rights activist and lawyer Deji Adeyanju also condemned the reported incident, saying he received information about the attack from one of Sowore’s aides.
Adeyanju expressed particular concern over reports that the police officer attached to the AAC presidential candidate had been disarmed during the incident.
He described the development as an act of violence and political intimidation, insisting that such conduct had no place in a democracy.
Adeyanju called on security agencies to investigate the incident, protect Sowore and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
Reactions
Several activists and lawyers have taken to social media to condemn the reported incident and demand urgent action.
Festus Ogun wrote:
“Nigerian authorities must ensure the safety and immediate release of activist and presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore, who is reportedly taken to unknown location by armed thugs in Ekiti State.”
Inibehe Effiong wrote:
“I am alarmed by news of the kidnap of the presidential candidate of the AAC, Omoyele Sowore, by yet to be identified armed men in Ekiti State.
Sowore was attacked alongside his supporters by the rampaging armed men.
The Inspector General of Police should urgently take drastic measures to secure the safety and release of Sowore.”
Deji Adeyanju wrote:
“I strongly condemn this brazen act of violence and political intimidation. There is absolutely no place for such lawlessness in a democracy
I call on the relevant security agencies to immediately investigate the incident, ensure Mr Sowore’s safety and bring all those responsible to justice.”
Meanwhile, a 15-year-old Ghanaian boy Javits Frimpong has been shot dead while walking to school in the Bronx, New York.
His father, Thomas Frimpong, suspects the killing may be connected to bullying complaints his son previously made at school.
The October 29 shooting has triggered a police search for three teenage suspects, while authorities are yet to establish a motive. Continue reading here.
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