Human rights activist and African Action Congress 2027 presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has been hospitalised after collapsing during a Democracy Day demonstration in Abuja on Friday.
Police fired tear gas to disperse protesters gathered at Unity Fountain in the Federal Capital Territory as tensions escalated during the march. Sowore’s collapse at Abuja protest came amid the confrontation between security operatives and demonstrators.
Witnesses describe sudden dispersal
Witnesses said Sowore’s Collapse at Abuja protest followed heavy tear gas deployment by police officers. He was reported to be at the forefront of the gathering when police moved to stop protesters demonstrating against poor governance and insecurity.
Tear gas canisters were fired into the crowd, causing demonstrators to scatter in different directions.
Sowore was reportedly affected during the chaos and lost consciousness after prolonged exposure.
Videos shared online showed him on the ground as fellow demonstrators rushed to assist him.
Sowore regains consciousness
Sources close to the activist said he later regained consciousness while being transported away from the protest ground.
Sowore’s collapse at Abuja protest was first described by eyewitnesses who reported heavy tear gas use across the demonstration area.
Amnesty International said he was subsequently taken to hospital and called for an immediate investigation into what it described as his “deliberate targeting”.
There is no verified report that live ammunition was used during the incident.
Amnesty International raises concern
In a statement released on Friday, Amnesty International condemned what it described as a “reckless attack on peaceful protesters”.
It warned that targeting activists during demonstrations amounts to unlawful conduct and a breach of fundamental rights.
“The Nigerian authorities are clearly using violence to crack down on human rights, including the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly,” the organisation said.
Amnesty International’s comments came after Sowore’s Collapse at Abuja protest drew widespread attention online.
Social media reaction and public concern
News of Sowore’s collapse at Abuja protest spread rapidly on social media.
Civil society groups and supporters called for transparency from security authorities over how the protest was handled.
Attention has since shifted to his condition and the conduct of security operatives during the dispersal.
Protest over hardship and insecurity
The protest formed part of a nationwide mobilisation by civic groups, labour activists, youth organisations and social movements.
June 12 was declared a day of mass action over insecurity, economic hardship and worsening living conditions.
Demonstrators demand government action
Protesters converged on major streets in the Federal Capital Territory as Nigeria marked 27 years of uninterrupted democratic governance.
They called on the Federal Government to urgently address rising insecurity, unemployment and the high cost of living.
Placards and chants dominated the march before security operatives moved in.
Tear gas dispersal escalates tension
The protest turned tense when police officers fired tear gas canisters to disperse the crowd.
Journalists, protesters and bystanders were forced to flee the area as visibility dropped across key routes.
The incident adds to a growing record of confrontations between security forces and demonstrators on Democracy Day.
Situation still unfolding
Supporters and civil society groups have called for restraint in handling peaceful demonstrations.
Concern over Sowore’s condition continues to grow as official clarification is still awaited.
Security authorities, protest organisers and medical personnel had not issued a full statement on the sequence of events as of Friday.
The circumstances surrounding Sowore’s Collapse at Abuja protest remain under review as officials continue to assess the incident.
