Coalition of Northern Groups condemns Omoyele Sowore’s arrest

The Coalition of Northern Groups has added their voice to the condemn the arrest and detention of activist and former presidential candidate, Yemi Sowore on New Year eve.

The CNG said through a statement issued by its spokesman over the weekend, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman that the arrest is an abuse of his freedom of movement that suggests Nigeria is heading towards “totalitarian oppression and suppression of people’s rights.”

“We remind government and its agencies that the universal right to move freely means that a person cannot be arbitrarily forced to remain in, or move to or from, a particular place,” the CNG said.

“The right includes freedom from physical and procedural barriers, like requiring permission before entering a public park or participating in a public demonstration in a public place.

“Based on the above premise, we view Sowore’s arrest for participating in a religious rite indiscriminate, unwarranted, uncalled for and downright unacceptable and a dangerous tendency towards totalitarian oppression and suppression of people’s rights.”

Recall that Sowore was arrested on New Year eve for leading a protest in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja against bad governance in the country.

The protest tagged #CrossoverWithProtest, saw many Nigerians holding candles and a placard showing their grievances against the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

Mr Sowore was reportedly arrested in one of the seven vans of the Nigerian police mobilised to the protest ground at Gudu junction in Abuja.

Multiple accounts suggests that the Saharareporters publisher and others arrested were taken to Abattoir police station in Logokoma, Abuja, where they are currently being detained.