The leadership of the Nigeria Police Force has confirmed the arrest of the leader of the Free Nnamdi Kanu protest, Omoyele Sowore, in Abuja.
The Force explained that he was apprehended by operatives in Abuja for allegedly directing protesters to violate a subsisting court order that barred demonstrators from converging in certain areas of the city.
The Force Spokesperson, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the arrest while fielding questions from journalists during a press conference at the Force Intelligence Department – Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT) Headquarters, Guzape, Abuja on Thursday.
He also revealed that the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2023 general election, Omoyele Sowore, would be charged to court within 24 hours of his arrest.
The Police Spokesperson said: “Today, Omoyele Sowore has been arrested by the Nigeria Police Force. You may ask why he was arrested. The reason is straightforward. The thirteen people previously arrested all gave their statements, and one thing was consistent in all of them: each person mentioned that one Omoyele Sowore led them into the restricted area, in clear contravention of the court order.
“It would therefore be unfair to charge those people to court and leave out the person who led them — their leader, the lead protester — who guided them into the restricted area. In the spirit of fairness and to ensure that justice is served, Omoyele Sowore was arrested today.
“Like the others, he will not spend much time with us. He will not be in custody for up to 24 hours. Once we conclude the charges, he will be prosecuted. In fact, if all goes as planned, he will be arraigned in court today.”
Giving further updates on the arrest and prosecution of the protesters, CSP Hundeyin stated: “You will recall that eight people were arrested on Monday in the Transcorp area of Abuja. They were arrested because they contravened a court order restricting movement within those areas.
“Despite several warnings not to enter the restricted area, they defied the order and forced their way in. As we warned two days before the protest, in our statement, anyone who contravened the order would be arrested and prosecuted. Accordingly, we arrested them as stated.
“Additionally, five others were arrested around the Ministry of Finance, also within the restricted area, bringing the total number to thirteen. They were arraigned the very next day and did not spend up to 24 hours in our custody.”
Earlier in his briefing, CSP Hundeyin stated that operatives of the FID-IRT followed up on several gunrunning cases, leading to the recovery of several dangerous firearms, including seven AK-47 rifles, two AK-49 rifles, five pump-action rifles, 15 magazines, one locally fabricated AK-47 rifle, one locally fabricated short rifle, one locally made pistol, one axe, six machetes, 615 rounds of live ammunition of various calibres, and 14 expended cartridges.
He said: “Today, we would be highlighting five cases which have led to the arrest of nine suspects and the recovery of two AK-47 rifles, two AK-49 rifles, one locally fabricated AK-47 rifle, and 51 rounds of live ammunition of various calibres.
“Acting on a petition from concerned citizens of Nasarawa State, operatives of the IRT conducted an intelligence-led operation resulting in the arrest of one Alhaji Bature Manya, aged 46, of Okpatta Village, Doma LGA, Nasarawa State. The suspect was found in possession of one AK-49 rifle with a magazine but without ammunition. Investigation is ongoing. We currently have nine suspects in custody.”
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