A civil rights advocacy group on the aegis of Human Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), has condemned in strong terms the physical attacks on activist Omoyele Sowore orchestrated by suspected thugs of the All Progressives Congress (APC), during the Lagos City marathon race held on Saturday morning.
HURIWA described the act as despicable, brutish and unacceptable, and called for the arrest and prosecution of the political thugs who also unleashed violence on journalists who were recording the physical attacks being carried out on Sowere and his entourage at the sporting event.
The Rights group said the failure of the police to act swiftly could be interpreted as a deliberate failing to take steps to rein in the unruly thugs most probably because of the ongoing feud between Mr. Sowere and the Nigeria Police following the criticisms of the police by Sowere over corruption being perpetuated at different checkpoints mounted by police around Nigeria.
A statement by Emmanuel Onwubiko, national coordinator of HURIWA, noted with concern that such an unjust and brazen act of violence was allowed to take place during a high-profile sporting event organised by the Lagos State administration which attracted other athletes from outside of the shores of Nigeria.
According to HURIWA; “We wonder the security lapses that could have made these attacks possible”.
HURIWA noted that Sowere recently had a running battle with the Inspector General of Police IGP Kayode Egbetokun over the extension of his tenure despite the fact that he has reached the retirement age of 60, which snowballed into the arrest, prosecution of Sowere by the police and his subsequent bail by the Federal High Court, Abuja.
It further said; “Watching the live video footage of the brutal and savage attacks on Sowere and members of his team today, one is shocked that the police were not on sight for all of the time that the attackers invaded the venue and started their violent crime.
“We are calling on the Lagos State police command to arrest and prosecute these political thugs just as we are demanding that this primitive act of violent crime, would not be hidden under the carpets.
“We call on politicians to play politics without bitterness just as we charge the Lagos State Government to ensure that justice is served in this instance,” it said.
HURIWA noted that media report indicated that the attack on Sowore took place at the Lagos City Marathon where the human rights activist and leader of the #RevolutionNow Movement faced a harrowing attack by suspected thugs allegedly affiliated to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
It noted that Sowore was participating in the marathon alongside his dedicated crew when the violence erupted, adding that the attack was indiscriminate, with the thugs not only targeting Sowore and his team but also assaulting journalists who were present to document the event.
According to HURIWA; “Many individuals suffered injuries, and their equipment—including cameras and other essential tools—were vandalized in the chaos.
“In a distressing live video that was streamed, the brutal nature of the assault unfolded, revealing thugs physically attacking Sowore, his crew, and the journalists.
“One particularly disturbing moment showed a thug mercilessly gripping the neck of a journalist who was desperately trying to secure his camera, putting the journalist’s life in grave danger.
“The motivation behind such a violent act by the APC against Sowore and the journalists remains unclear, raising serious concerns about the safety of participants at what was intended to be a celebration of community and athleticism. “As of now, the condition of Sowore and those injured in the attack remains unknown,” HURIWA said.
HURIWA said that the incident underscored the alarming risks faced by activists and the press, even in environments that are meant to promote unity and celebration.
