The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command of the Nigeria Police yesterday denied shooting at the Convener of #RevolutionNow, Mr. Omoyele Sowore, during a protest at the Unity Fountain in Abuja.
Sowore, who led a group of people for a #BuhariMustGo protest, claimed that a senior police officer, identified simply as Atine, a Commissioner of Police (ACP), shot at him.
In a terse post on his Twitter handle @YeleSowore, he wrote: “Just been shot by a police officer, ACP Atine, at the Unity Fountain in Abuja. #RevolutionNow.
“Let the struggle continue, even if they take my life! #BuhariMustGo.”
Speaking on phone with our correspondent, Sowore said: “I was shot at close range with a teargas canister gun by a police officer, CSP Atine. I am in the hospital still receiving treatment on my right thigh. This was a targeted attack by the Nigerian Police Force.”
Reacting to the alleged firing of a live bullet at the protesters, the FCT police spokesperson Mariam Yusuf, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), said such a thing did not happen.
The spokesperson explained that the police intervened when the protesters went on rampage, to prevent them from causing a breakdown of law and order.
She said: “The FCT Police Command wishes to debunk the viral message in some sections of the social media purporting that Omoyele Sowere was shot by a female Assistant Commissioner of Police at the Unity Fountain.
“Contrary to the speculation, police operatives professionally restored calm at the Unity Fountain following attempts by a group of protesters to incite public disturbance. The protesters, who went on rampage, were resisted by police operatives in order to prevent them from causing a breakdown of law and order. There is no record of such an incident as at the time of this release.
“The command enjoins residents to remain calm and law-abiding while reaffirming its commitment towards the protection of lives and property within the FCT.”