UPDATE: How I Was Illegally Arrested, Brutalised By Policemen In Abuja— Sowore

The Muhammadu Buhari-led government of Nigeria has displayed its disdain for human rights as security forces on Monday arrested human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

The activist was at court to observe the trials of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and five #BuhariMustGo protesters arrested at Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Abuja by the Department of State Services (DSS).

Speaking to Gistcore media, Sowore said he was brutalised by the police during his arrest and taken to the Federal Secretariat police station.

“I have just been arrested by the Nigerian Police at the Federal High Court. Subjected to beatings by police officers and taken to the Federal Secretariat police station,” he said.

It was gathered that armed operatives descended on the activist, beat him up and bundled him into a vehicle alongside the cameraman who was livestreaming for him.

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Another photographer, Yusuf Bromley, who was with Sowore at the time had his camera seized but was able to escape.

Justice Obiora Egwuatu had ordered the Department of State Services (DSS) to produce today (Monday), the 5 activists arrested at Dunamis Church, Abuja for wearing #BuhariMustGo T-shirts, while ruling on the ex parte motion filed by their lawyer, Pelumi Olajengbesi. 

The Nigerian government had earlier barred some media organisations from covering the trial of the Kanu.

It also named only 10 media houses approved to cover the trial.

The media organisations include the TV station and newspaper belonging to the national leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, TVC, and The Nation respectively; Premium Times, Daily Independent, The Herald, NTA, AIT, News Agency of Nigeria, and Channels TV. 

The government through the DSS did not give reasons for picking the 10 media houses while barring others from covering the trial.