There was palpable tension at the Kuje Magistrate Court in Abuja on Monday morning as heavily armed police officers barricaded the court premises, preventing journalists, lawyers, and members of the public from gaining access ahead of the scheduled appearance of human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore.
Security operatives reportedly arrived at the court in the early hours of the morning and immediately sealed off all access points without giving any official reason for the restriction. Those attempting to enter—including legal practitioners, journalists, and Sowore’s supporters—were turned back, sparking heated exchanges and widespread confusion.
Eyewitnesses told Chronicles Reporters that police officers fired multiple rounds of teargas canisters into the air in a bid to disperse a group of lawyers and activists who had gathered peacefully to show solidarity with Sowore.
The incident left several individuals gasping for breath, while many journalists and lawyers were stranded outside the court premises, unable to perform their official duties.
“They were shouting at everyone to move back; one of them even pointed a gun at a journalist who tried to record what was happening,”
A detachment of armed policemen was seen stationed at strategic locations around the court, with Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) and police patrol vans positioned at nearby junctions, creating a tense and intimidating atmosphere.
Residents and passers-by were not spared in the heavy-handed police operation. Several witnesses reported cases of harassment, with officers allegedly seizing phones and ordering people to stop recording.
Efforts by Chronicles Reporters to reach the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Benjamin Hundeyin, for comments were unsuccessful, as calls and text messages went unanswered as of press time.
Sowore’s fresh confrontation with the police follows his brutal assault and re-arrest on Friday, October 24, 2025. He was reportedly beaten to a stupor by a team of armed officers led by a senior officer identified as Ilyasu Barau before being whisked away in a commando-style operation allegedly ordered by the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
The incident occurred just moments after Magistrate Abubakar Sai’id granted him bail—a move that reportedly enraged the police team.
Civil society groups and human rights advocates have since condemned the attack, describing it as “a direct assault on the judiciary and a dangerous slide into authoritarianism.”
As of the time of filing this report, journalists, lawyers, and members of the public remain barred from entering the court premises. Police vehicles, including Hilux vans and APCs, are still stationed around the area.
Tension remains high, with fears of further confrontation between police officers and Sowore’s supporters if access to the court continues to be restricted.