Sowore and Journalists Assaulted at Lagos City Marathon 2025 Sowore and Media Crew Face Assault at Lagos City Marathon Prominent Nigerian activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, was reportedly attacked by a group of men during the 2025 Lagos City Marathon on Saturday morning. According to reports, the unidentified individuals also assaulted journalists covering the event, including Sowore’s media crew, allegedly damaging their cameras and other recording devices. Incident Captured and Shared on Social Media Following the attack, Sowore, a former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2023 elections, shared a video of the incident on X (formerly Twitter). In his post, he narrated how merely occupying a canopy after completing the 10km marathon provoked some individuals, leading to an unprovoked physical confrontation. “They seized one of our journalists’ cameras, insisting that they must view and delete all footage because it captured them live while attacking our crew in Lagos,” Sowore stated. Sowore on the Importance of Marathon and Resilience Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Sowore—who has participated in renowned international marathons, including the New York City Marathon—emphasized that long-distance running builds resilience. He highlighted the similarities between marathon running and activism, stating: “Marathon is about resilience. If you cannot keep running physically, you can use your mind to push forward. Activism is the same—it requires perseverance despite challenges.” Lagos City Marathon: A Global Sporting Event The Access Bank Lagos City Marathon remains one of Nigeria’s biggest sporting events, attracting thousands of runners, including local and international athletes. The event features both a 10km race and the full 42.5km marathon. For more details on the Lagos City Marathon, visit Access Bank Lagos City Marathon READ ALSO: Follow the LMSINT MEDIA channel on WhatsApp: Join Our WhatsApp Group Hear: Chat on WhatsApp Join our Telegram Chanel.
Protesters storm the Federal High Court in Abuja, demanding the release of Omoyele Sowore. Activists accuse the police of intimidation and misplaced priorities. Activists Rally Against Intimidation, Call for Sowore’s Freedom A wave of protests erupted at the Federal High Court in Abuja as #EndBadGovernance activists demanded the immediate release of activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore. The demonstrators accused security forces of using intimidation tactics to suppress dissent, emphasizing their stand against what they described as political oppression. Why Was Sowore Detained? Sowore was summoned on multiple allegations, including: He later took to X.com (formerly Twitter) to claim that his legal troubles were politically motivated, citing his vocal criticism of Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun’s tenure extension. However, following a meeting with the Force Intelligence Department of the Nigeria Police Force, Sowore announced that he had been granted bail. Protesters Slam Authorities for Misplaced Priorities Despite the heavy presence of security forces on Wednesday, protesters remained defiant. One demonstrator criticized the government’s approach, accusing the authorities of prioritizing the suppression of activists over addressing rising insecurity in Abuja. “Police officers are here to intimidate peaceful demonstrators while Abuja is facing serious security challenges. Instead of deploying personnel to crime-ridden areas, they are stationed here to suppress citizens. This reflects the misplaced priorities of this administration and the illegal Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun,” the protester stated. Public Outcry Over Sowore’s Detention The protest underscores growing discontent with governance in Nigeria, particularly regarding the suppression of dissenting voices. Many activists argue that Sowore’s detention is part of a broader strategy to silence critics of the government. The #EndBadGovernance movement continues to gain traction as citizens push for accountability, justice, and better governance. READ ALSO: Follow the LMSINT MEDIA channel on WhatsApp: Join Our WhatsApp Group Hear: Chat on WhatsApp Join our Telegram Chanel.
