Sowore Accuses Speaker Abbas of Using Police to Intimidate Zaria Youths

One of the arrested Zaria youths, Sulaiman Barde, pictured before his reported detention. Rights activists have called for his i...

One of the arrested Zaria youths, Sulaiman Barde, pictured before his reported detention. Rights activists have called for his immediate release, alleging unlawful arrests and intimidation.

Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has accused the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Dr. Abbas Tajudeen, of allegedly using the Nigeria Police Force to suppress and intimidate youths in Zaria.

In a statement posted on social media Tuesday, Sowore described the alleged actions as "an outrageous abuse of power," calling for the immediate release of all detained youths in the area.

“Reports indicate that the Speaker of the House, Hon. Dr. Abbas Tajudeen, is using the Nigeria Police Force to suppress and intimidate young people in the area. This is an outrageous abuse of power, and it must stop,” Sowore stated.

He further warned against criminalising Zaria youths, emphasizing that “Zaria youths are not criminals. They are not slaves.”

Sowore ended his statement with the hashtag #FreeZariaYouths, signalling a call to action and solidarity.

As of the time of filing this report, the Speaker of the House or his office had not issued an official response to the allegations. The Nigeria Police Force has also not commented publicly on the matter.

The circumstances surrounding the alleged arrests or detentions remain unclear, but Sowore’s statement has drawn attention from civil rights groups and political observers.

This is a developing story.