The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has denied that any of its officers shot Mr Omoyele Sowore on Monday.
The spokesperson for the command, Mariam Yusuf, in a statement on Monday said contrary to the report, police operatives deployed in the scene professionally restored calm at the protest venue.
The statement titled ‘Police restores calm at the Unity Fountain’ reads, “The FCT Command wishes to debunk the viral message in some sections of the social media purporting that ‘Omoyele Sowore was shot by a female Assistant Commissioner of Police’ at the Unity Fountain. “Contrary to the speculation, police operatives professionally restored calm at the Unity Fountain following attempts by a group of protesters to incite a public disturbance.
“The protesters, who went on the rampage, were resisted by police operatives in order to prevent them from causing a breakdown of the law and order. There is no record of such an incident as of the time of this release.
“The command enjoins residents to remain calm and law-abiding while reaffirming its commitment towards the protection of lives and property within the FCT.”
Earlier reports said armed policemen in Abuja opened fire on the human rights activist during a protest to demand an end to insecurity in the country.
Sowore was reportedly shot in the right side of the stomach towards the hip by gun-wielding policemen drafted to the Unity Fountain and was seen in a trending video being wheeled on a stretcher to a hospital.
