Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, reportedly fainted during a protest in Abuja after security operatives allegedly fired tear gas canisters at demonstrators.
According to reports from the scene, protesters had gathered to express their grievances when security personnel moved to disperse the crowd using tear gas, reports The Guardian.
Witnesses said the resulting chaos forced many protesters to flee, while several others reportedly suffered breathing difficulties and other effects associated with exposure to the gas.
Sowore, who was among those leading the demonstration, was said to have been affected by the tear gas before collapsing. The exact condition of the activist remains unclear as of the time of filing this report, and there has been no official statement from security authorities regarding the incident.
Reports from previous protests involving Sowore have also highlighted concerns over the use of tear gas by security agencies to disperse demonstrators.
The development has sparked renewed concerns among civil society groups and rights advocates over crowd-control tactics employed during public protests, particularly in the Federal Capital Territory.
…developing story
