Popular activist Omoyele Sowore has urged the Federal Capital Territory Commissioner of Police, CP Miller Dantawaye, and officers of the Nigeria Police Force to honour their oath to protect citizens. He recently appealed to the Nigeria Police Force to respect the constitutional right to peaceful assembly ahead of Monday’s #FreeNnamdiKanuNow march.
After the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, directed his men to be on high alert and ensure strict enforcement of the court order against protests at Aso Rock and its environs, Sowore responded by urging the new FCT police boss not to adopt a heavy-handed approach to the demonstration.
According to him, CP Dantawaye and every other police officer should disobey any order that would violate protesters’ basic rights throughout the demonstration.
He warned that any use of excessive force or unlawful arrests would attract severe repercussions from citizens who are ready to resist police brutality.
“Any use of excessive force or unlawful arrests will attract repercussions. The Nigerian people will hold accountable those who attempt brutality swiftly. Times are changing fast, and our citizens have been taken advantage of for too long.
We are calling on CP Dantawaye and every officer of the Nigeria Police Force to uphold their oath of allegiance to Nigerians, protect citizens, and respect the inalienable right to peaceful assembly,” he wrote.
Nnamdi Kanu has been in the custody of the Department of State Services since June 2021, and he is currently facing a seven-count charge of terrorism and treasonable felony.
The IPOB leader was first arrested in 2015, granted bail in 2017, and fled after a military invasion of his home in Abia State.
Despite several court rulings ordering his release, the Federal Government has continued to hold him captive, a reality that keeps stirring public outrage and renewed agitation.
