Sowore Collapses as Tear Gas Disrupts Democracy Day Protest in Abuja

Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, was reportedly hospitalised on Friday after collapsing during a Democracy Day protest in Abuja, following the alleged deployment of tear gas by security operatives.

The incident occurred during a demonstration organised by activists and civil society groups to commemorate June 12 Democracy Day and draw attention to pressing national issues, including rising insecurity, economic hardship, governance concerns, and the plight of abducted schoolchildren.

Witnesses said protesters gathered peacefully at Berger Junction before marching toward the Federal Secretariat and Eagle Square. However, the protest reportedly turned chaotic when security personnel fired tear gas canisters into the crowd as demonstrators approached the venue.

The deployment of tear gas triggered panic, forcing protesters and passersby to flee the area. Several participants reportedly suffered breathing difficulties, eye irritation and other effects commonly associated with exposure to tear gas.

Among those affected was Sowore, who was leading the protest. Eyewitnesses said the activist inhaled a significant amount of tear gas and later slumped at the scene. Videos circulating on social media showed fellow protesters rushing to assist him before moving him away from the affected area.

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Sources at the protest venue said Sowore later regained consciousness and was taken to a hospital for medical evaluation and treatment. Although reports suggested his condition had stabilised, there was no immediate official statement from his aides regarding his health status.

Witnesses also alleged that security operatives fired additional tear gas canisters while protesters were attempting to assist Sowore, further escalating tensions and dispersing the crowd. The incident reportedly affected motorists, traders and residents around the protest route.

Despite the disruption, some demonstrators regrouped and continued the protest, insisting that citizens have a constitutional right to peaceful assembly and expression.

The development has sparked fresh criticism from civil society organisations and human rights advocates, who argue that the use of force against peaceful protesters undermines democratic principles and civil liberties.

The Nigeria Police Force had yet to issue a detailed statement on the circumstances surrounding the deployment of tear gas or Sowore’s reported collapse as of the time of filing this report.

The incident is the latest in a series of confrontations involving security agencies and protesters in the Federal Capital Territory, reigniting debates over crowd-control tactics and the protection of fundamental rights in Nigeria.

Sowore Collapses as Tear Gas Disrupts Democracy Day Protest in Abuja

NSCIA Rejects Claims Linking Nigerian Muslims to Banditry, Kidnapping

The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has strongly condemned what it described as growing attempts by individuals and groups, both within and outside the country, to associate Nigerian Muslims with banditry, kidnapping, and other violent crimes. The Council warned that such narratives are false, divisive, and harmful to national unity, especially at a time when Nigeria continues to grapple with serious security challenges.

The statement was issued in Abuja as part of a Democracy Day message released ahead of the 27th anniversary of uninterrupted democratic governance on June 12, 2026. The message was signed under the leadership of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, and conveyed by NSCIA’s Public Affairs Officer, Abbas Jimoh.

The Council expressed concern over what it described as persistent efforts to unjustly portray Nigerian Muslims as perpetrators of criminal activities, despite many Muslims being victims of terrorism, discrimination, and insecurity themselves. It described the situation as a form of “double jeopardy,” stressing that peaceful Muslim communities across the country are being unfairly stigmatized while also suffering from the same violence being attributed to them.

The NSCIA specifically referenced the recent kidnapping of students and teachers in Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State, saying there were premature attempts by some commentators to link the incident to Islam and Shariah. It argued that such claims were misleading and contributed to misinformation and public misunderstanding, noting that subsequent developments did not support those initial allegations.

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The Council also condemned broader patterns of ethnic profiling in the reporting of criminal cases, insisting that suspects should be identified strictly by the crimes they commit and prosecuted according to the law. It warned that attaching ethnic or religious identity to criminal acts deepens divisions and undermines national efforts to address insecurity.

Reaffirming Islam’s stance, the NSCIA stressed that the religion does not condone violence, banditry, kidnapping, or terrorism in any form. It reiterated its condemnation of all criminal acts and expressed sympathy for victims of insecurity across the country, while calling on perpetrators to abandon violence and embrace peace.

In its Democracy Day message, the Council also reflected on Nigeria’s 27 years of democratic governance, describing June 12 as a symbol of justice, accountability, and national struggle. It said the day serves as a reminder that democracy can only thrive where human dignity, inclusion, and fairness are upheld.

The NSCIA called on journalists, media organisations, and public commentators to exercise caution and professionalism in their reporting, warning against narratives that could inflame tensions or deepen mistrust among Nigeria’s diverse communities. It urged responsible journalism that promotes unity rather than division.

The Council also commended the efforts of the Federal Government, security agencies, and community leaders in tackling insecurity, while calling for greater collaboration to restore peace and stability across the country. It prayed for the protection and success of security personnel working to safeguard lives and property.

It concluded by emphasizing that Nigeria’s diversity should remain a source of strength rather than division, urging citizens to reject narratives that promote hatred and instead work together toward unity, peace, and national development.

NSCIA Rejects Claims Linking Nigerian Muslims to Banditry, Kidnapping

President Tinubu Deserves Credit – US Lawmaker Praises Nigeria’s State Police Breakthrough

ABUJA – In a historic move to restructure Nigeria’s security architecture, the House of Representatives has passed the constitutional amendment bill establishing state police across the federation, drawing immediate praise from a prominent United States lawmaker.

Riley Moore, a Republican US House member who has previously raised concerns about security and religious persecution in Nigeria, hailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Nigerian lawmakers following Thursday’s plenary vote. The bill, which secured overwhelming support, paves the way for states to establish and manage their own police forces alongside the Nigeria Police Force.

A total of 289 lawmakers voted in support of the proposal, while one member abstained and none voted against, reflecting near-unanimous bipartisan backing for the far-reaching reform. The voting was conducted manually after Speaker Tajudeen Abbas announced that the electronic voting system was faulty, with members raising their hands to indicate their positions.

How the House Voted: 289 in Favour, Speaker Abstains

The state police bill was approved during consideration at the Committee of the Whole, presided over by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, who himself abstained from the vote. According to reports, 290 members were present at plenary for the day’s legislative business. Before voting commenced, the Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review, Benjamin Kalu, presented arguments in support of the proposal and urged lawmakers to back the measure. He stressed the need for a more decentralised policing framework to effectively address the country’s growing security challenges, including banditry, kidnapping, and terrorism. The session was not without drama. Kaduna lawmaker Bashir Zubairu moved a point of order, explaining that the document on the proposed state police put together by the House Committee on Constitution Review only reached lawmakers on Thursday afternoon. He argued that they could not do justice to it because they had not gone through it, but was ruled out of order, allowing the process to proceed.

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Riley Moore: “Critical Step Toward Ending Persecution of Christians”

Reacting to the development in a statement posted on his X account, US Congressman Riley Moore expressed satisfaction with the House’s decision. He said he was “thankful to see that Nigeria’s House of Representatives passed this important policy that I’ve been calling for since @POTUS first asked me to investigate the genocide against Christians in Nigeria.” “In fact, I raised this idea directly with Nigeria’s First Lady during her visit to Washington and have done so repeatedly with every Nigerian delegation I’ve met with,” he added. Moore stated that empowering state governments to handle security matters more effectively would help improve safety across the country. He declared, “Ensuring states can protect their own citizens is a critical step toward ending the persecution of Christians and the overall instability in Nigeria.” The US lawmaker also applauded President Tinubu for supporting the legislation and encouraging lawmakers to advance it through the National Assembly. He added that “President Tinubu deserves credit for supporting this legislation and urging its passage through Nigeria’s parliament.” Moore, however, noted that more work remains before state police forces can become operational. “There’s still a ways to go before state-level police forces will be in place, but this is a sign that all our hard work is paying off,” he said.

Next Steps: Senate, 24 State Assemblies, Presidential Assent

Before becoming law, the state police bill must clear several additional hurdles. It requires Senate approval – the bill has already scaled second reading in the Senate – as well as endorsement by at least 24 state Houses of Assembly (two-thirds of Nigeria’s 36 states), and finally presidential assent by President Bola Tinubu. During Senate proceedings, President of the Senate Godswill Akpabio referred the bill to the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution chaired by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Jibrin Barau, for further consideration. The committee will report back to plenary for voting when lawmakers reconvene after their break. In his presentation of the general principles of the bill, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele highlighted the national significance of creating state police, noting that the country’s centralised policing system could no longer cope with current realities of escalating insecurity. He argued that the scale of terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other forms of criminality required the engagement of people living within communities with the ability to gather useful intelligence to counter criminal elements. Bamidele noted that the bill would promote community policing by fostering trust between law enforcement and the public, relieve pressure on the Federal Police to allow them to focus on interstate crimes and national security operations, and strengthen Nigeria’s federal structure. He gave examples of other federations like the United States, Australia, and Germany where policing is shared by several layers of government, arguing that Nigeria should not remain an exception among federal systems.

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Key Provisions of the State Police Bill

The proposed amendment seeks to fundamentally restructure Nigeria’s policing architecture by creating both Federal Police and State Police formations. The bill amends Section 214 of the 1999 Constitution to formally establish both policing structures. Under the proposal, the National Assembly would be empowered to prescribe the structure, organisation, administration and powers of the Federal Police, while also providing the legal framework and minimum standards for state police services nationwide. Key provisions of the bill include that no state police formation shall commence operations unless established through a law passed by the relevant State House of Assembly and certified as complying with national minimum standards. The Federal Police will continue to exercise policing powers in any state until its police service becomes fully operational. Federal intervention is limited to cases of complete breakdown of law and order, upon request of a governor, or where a state police force becomes unable to function. The Inspector-General of Police will be appointed by the President on the advice of the Nigeria Police Council, subject to confirmation by the National Assembly. State Commissioners of Police will be appointed by governors on the advice of the Nigeria Police Council from among serving officers of the State Police, subject to confirmation by State Houses of Assembly. Governors may issue lawful directives to State Commissioners of Police; disputes may be referred to the Nigeria Police Council for final decision. The bill also amends Section 84 of the Constitution by replacing references to the “National Police Council and the Federal Police Service Commission” with the “Nigeria Police Council and the Police Service Commission.”

Background: Why State Police Now?

The push for state police has gained urgency as insecurity spreads across Nigeria. The House approved the bill following a spike in killings, kidnappings, and banditry in the past several months. In May alone, gunmen abducted dozens of students and teachers in separate attacks in Oyo and Borno states, highlighting the reach of criminal and insurgent groups across regions. State governors have long argued that they are held accountable for security but lack operational control over police in their states. Reform advocates argue state police could improve response times, strengthen intelligence gathering, and deploy officers with better knowledge of local communities. The House also approved 18 constitutional amendment clauses as part of the broader constitutional review exercise aimed at reforming critical aspects of governance and public administration. The passage of the bill marks one of the most significant constitutional and security reforms undertaken by the National Assembly since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999. If eventually enacted, the legislation is expected to introduce a multi-layered policing system aimed at improving responses to banditry, kidnapping, terrorism and other security threats through greater local participation in policing. The reform could redefine the country’s approach to tackling violent crimes through a more localised security architecture.

Conclusion: Historic Reform Moves Forward

The passage of the state police bill by the House of Representatives represents a watershed moment in Nigeria’s ongoing struggle to address pervasive insecurity. With 289 votes in favour, the measure enjoys rare cross-party consensus on a constitutionally complex issue. As the bill now moves to the Senate, then to state assemblies, and finally to President Tinubu’s desk, the coming months will determine whether Nigeria joins the ranks of federal nations like the United States and Germany that operate decentralised policing systems. For US Congressman Riley Moore, who has long advocated for the reform as a solution to both insecurity and religious persecution, Thursday’s vote is proof that persistence pays off. “There’s still a ways to go,” he said, “but this is a sign that all our hard work is paying off.”

President Tinubu Deserves Credit – US Lawmaker Praises Nigeria’s State Police Breakthrough