Human rights advocate Omoyele Sowore has openly criticized the Nigeria Police Force for their violent response during a peaceful protest calling for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). During an interview on Prime Time, a current affairs program aired on Arise Television and monitored by LMSINT MEDIA on Monday, Sowore strongly condemned the police assault on peaceful demonstrators who gathered to demand freedom for Nnamdi Kanu. According to Sowore, the demonstrators were exercising their constitutional right to peaceful protest when officers of the Nigeria Police Force used force to disperse them. He emphasized that the police’s reaction showed bias against citizens who peacefully express their grievances. “The only reason they attacked us was because we were peaceful,” Sowore said. “If we were armed bandits, they would never have come near us.” The human rights activist argued that the government’s continued hostility toward peaceful activists exposes a worrying double standard in Nigeria’s security system. Sowore noted that while criminals and bandits roam freely, those who peacefully demand justice are treated as enemies of the state. He further accused the authorities of using security agencies as tools of intimidation to silence dissenting voices. Sowore maintained that Nigerians have the constitutional right to protest, speak freely, and demand accountability from those in power. The protest, which took place in several parts of the country, called for the immediate release of Nnamdi Kanu, who has been in custody since 2021 following his arrest and extradition from Kenya. Many human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have repeatedly urged the Nigerian government to respect court orders regarding Kanu’s release. Observers believe that the peaceful demonstration reflects a growing frustration among Nigerians over the continued detention of the IPOB leader and the government’s disregard for rule of law. Sowore’s remarks have since sparked wide discussions on social media, with many Nigerians condemning the use of force against peaceful protesters while criminal elements are left unchecked. As of now, the government has yet to issue an official statement addressing the police actions or Sowore’s accusations.
In a deeply emotional turn of events, Ahmad Manasra, a Palestinian man who was imprisoned by Israeli authorities as a child, has finally been released after enduring over nine years of incarceration. Arrested at just 13 years old in connection with a stabbing incident he did not commit, Ahmad’s story has become symbolic of the treatment of Palestinian youth under Israeli military law. Background of the Case Ahmad Manasra was arrested in 2015 when he was just 13 years old. He was with his 15-year-old cousin, Hassan Manasra, in East Jerusalem’s Pisgat Ze’ev neighborhood when Hassan stabbed two Israeli citizens. Though Ahmad did not participate in the stabbing—something even Israeli courts acknowledged—he was still convicted of attempted murder. During the incident, Ahmad was brutally assaulted and run over by an Israeli driver, sustaining severe head injuries and internal bleeding. A graphic video of the young boy lying on the street, bleeding and being mocked by bystanders, went viral at the time, drawing international outrage. Mental Health Concerns and Legal Appeals While serving his sentence, Ahmad’s mental health deteriorated significantly. He was diagnosed with schizophrenia and exhibited signs of severe psychological distress. His legal team, led by Khaled Zabarqa, made multiple appeals for his early release on humanitarian grounds, all of which were rejected by Israeli authorities. Human rights organizations such as Amnesty International and Defense for Children International – Palestine had repeatedly called for his immediate release, citing the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which prohibits the imprisonment of minors under such circumstances. You can read more on the Amnesty International website. Release and Reactions On Thursday, Ahmad Manasra, now 23 years old, walked free after completing his nine-and-a-half-year prison sentence. His lawyer confirmed the release, stating that while justice was long delayed, it has finally arrived. The news has sparked a wave of reactions across social media, with many hailing Ahmad as a survivor of injustice. Human rights advocates continue to push for reform in the way Palestinian children are treated under Israeli law. Implications of His Case Ahmad’s case has become a global symbol of human rights violations. It highlights the harsh realities of the Israeli juvenile justice system, especially its handling of Palestinian minors. His story has also reignited conversations about the mental health crisis in prisons, the importance of child protection, and the need for accountability in conflict zones. For more related human rights content, check out our article on Amnesty International’s work and impact. Related Posts on LMSINT MEDIA Conclusion Ahmad Manasra’s release is not just the end of a prison term—it is a reminder of the need for justice reform, especially when it comes to children in conflict zones. His journey, marked by pain, resilience, and global attention, stands as a testament to the strength of the human spirit under oppression. READ ALSO: Follow the LMSINT MEDIA channel on WhatsApp: Join Our WhatsApp Group Hear: Chat on WhatsApp Join our Telegram Channel
Kindly Share:
Amnesty International (AI) has called for Boko Haram to be held accountable for the years of atrocities and war crimes it has committed against Nigerian civilians. This comes as human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), condemned the harassment and legal threats directed at Amnesty International Nigeria (AIN). Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have also urged President Bola Tinubu to take immediate action to end the alleged intimidation of the rights group. AIN’s Director, Isa Sanusi, spoke out after the brutal attack by Boko Haram on farming communities in Borno State on January 12, where over 40 civilians were killed. Sanusi condemned the massacre, highlighting Boko Haram’s utter disregard for human life and international humanitarian law. “Boko Haram must be held to account for its years of atrocities,” Sanusi said. “Our investigation found that Boko Haram gathered farmers and fishermen, separated the men, and shot them at close range. Those attempting to escape were chased down and killed, while others were injured.” The search for bodies continues, with plans for a mass burial for the victims. Sanusi emphasized that Boko Haram’s ongoing abductions and widespread looting remain a serious threat to civilians, stressing that urgent measures are needed to protect the public and ensure justice for victims. Since 2020, Boko Haram has specifically targeted farmers around Lake Chad. Meanwhile, Falana condemned the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) for intimidating Amnesty International simply for fulfilling its legitimate duties. The NPF had, through a letter on January 6, 2025, demanded a retraction and public apology regarding AI’s publication on police violence during the August 2024 #EndBadGovernance protests. The police refuted the accusations, calling them false and unsubstantiated. Falana responded, criticizing the legal threats as harassment aimed at stifling free speech and activism. Several CSOs, including the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), and 64 others, condemned the police’s actions. They called on the Nigerian government to halt the escalating crackdown on activists, human rights defenders, and journalists, and to ensure that Nigerians can freely exercise their rights without fear of retaliation. READ ALSO: Follow the LMSINT MEDIA channel on WhatsApp: Join Our WhatsApp Group Hear: Chat on WhatsApp Join our Telegram Chanel.
Kindly Share:
A human rights organization, Amnesty International, has condemned the treason charges against minors protesting hunger under President Tinubu’s administration. According to Amnesty, “The 114 protesters arraigned today at the Federal High Court in Abuja have committed no crimes and do not deserve the horrific treatment they’ve endured since their arrest. Most of the 76 protesters arraigned in the first group are minors, with four collapsing in court, a sign of their deteriorating mental and physical health. Detaining minors in such conditions for demanding good governance highlights the government’s resolve to silence dissent,” Amnesty said in a Friday statement. The detention and trial of these minors protesting against bad governance have been interpreted as further evidence of alleged governmental misuse of power under Tinubu’s leadership. READ ALSO: NIS elevates 13,977 officers and promises to address border security. In a related incident, two Binance officials, Tirgran Gambaryan and Nadeem Anjarwalla, were detained earlier in February after being summoned by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu. Ribadu claimed that Binance was enabling currency speculation that weakened the naira. While Anjarwalla left Nigeria in March to avoid detention, Gambaryan was held for eight months before being released last week. We love having you back, Kindly Subscribe to our Newsletter Join our WhatsApp Channel.
