Human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore was reportedly hospitalised after collapsing during a Democracy Day protest at Unity Fountain in Abuja on Thursday.
The incident occurred as activists and civil society groups gathered to voice concerns over insecurity, economic hardship and governance issues in the country. Witnesses alleged that the situation escalated when security operatives moved to disperse protesters assembled at the venue.
According to accounts from the scene, police officers deployed tear gas canisters to break up the gathering, causing panic among demonstrators. As protesters scrambled for safety, Sowore was reportedly affected by the tear gas during the Democracy Day protest and later lost consciousness.
Supporters and fellow activists quickly came to his aid, evacuating him from the protest ground as tensions rose around the venue. Sources close to the activist said he regained consciousness while being moved away from the scene.
The incident added to the drama surrounding the Democracy Day protest, which drew dozens of activists demanding action on rising insecurity, economic challenges and what they described as poor governance. Participants had gathered peacefully before the confrontation reportedly disrupted the demonstration.
Following the incident, Sowore was taken to an undisclosed hospital for further medical examination and treatment. While concerns over his health briefly spread among supporters, reports indicated that he had regained consciousness before arriving at the medical facility.
The development further heightened tensions at the Democracy Day protest, with demonstrators expressing concern over the handling of the gathering. As of the time of the incident, there was no official statement regarding Sowore’s condition or the circumstances surrounding the reported use of tear gas.


