By Jabiru Hassan
The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) has condemned the disruption of a peaceful protest led by activist Omoyele Sowore in Abuja, describing the police response as an abuse of power and a violation of citizens’ constitutional rights.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the rights group said the protest, which was organized to demand the release of detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu, was a constitutionally guaranteed peaceful assembly. The group criticized the use of tear gas and force by officers of the Nigerian Police, calling it “unnecessary, excessive, and utterly condemnable.”
“The protest was peaceful, and the deployment of tear gas and force against unarmed civilians represents a gross violation of their fundamental rights,” CDHR said. “Freedom of assembly and expression are inalienable human rights enshrined in the 1999 Nigerian Constitution and international human rights instruments to which Nigeria is a signatory.”
The organization maintained that the government cannot criminalize citizens for peacefully expressing dissent or dissatisfaction with government policies, actions, or inactions.
“It is oppressive and undemocratic to subject individuals to inhumane treatment for exercising their right to peaceful assembly,” the statement added. “Such actions constitute a direct assault on the sensibilities of Nigerians and undermine the very foundation of democracy.”
CDHR further stated that the use of state security agencies to suppress legitimate grievances only deepens public resentment and could lead to greater unrest in the future.
“We are particularly alarmed by the arrest of several protesters in Abuja. We demand the **immediate and unconditional release** of all individuals detained for participating in the peaceful protest,” the group declared.
Describing the arrests as “a blatant attempt to criminalize dissent,” the human rights body warned that continued efforts by the government to silence opposition voices could have grave consequences for Nigeria’s peace and stability.
“The government’s attempt to suppress dissent will only breed anger and frustration among citizens, potentially leading to widespread instability,” the group cautioned.
The CDHR reaffirmed its commitment to monitoring the situation to ensure that victims of rights violations receive justice.
“We will continue to hold authorities accountable and ensure that those whose rights have been trampled upon in this and other protests get the justice they deserve,” the statement concluded.
