Omoyele Sowore Police Accused of Opening Fire on #EndBadGovernance Protesters in Maiduguri

Fresh controversy has erupted following allegations that security operatives opened fire on protesters during the ongoing #EndBadGovernance demonstrations in Maiduguri, many of whom were reportedly minors.

According to activist Omoyele Sowore, while soldiers were initially deployed to guide and protect demonstrators, the situation changed when police officers allegedly began shooting into the crowd. Several lives were said to have been lost in the incident.

Sowore further alleged that police personnel in Maiduguri received ₦50,000 each, allegedly distributed by the Borno State Government through the Commissioner of Poverty Alleviation, Saina Buba, and another official, Lawan Jafar “Ba,” with coordination from the Civilian JTF chairman, Abdulrauf.

The activist compared the police response to a similar protest in August 2024, when the then Garrison Commander engaged the youths peacefully without ordering soldiers to shoot. Sowore claimed that the commander’s refusal to fire on protesters led to his immediate transfer, suggesting he was punished for his restraint.

The allegations have reignited criticism of the Borno State Government and security agencies. Sowore accused Governor Babagana Umara Zulum’s administration of complicity in the deaths of unarmed citizens, describing the crackdown as “a punishment on minors demanding a better Nigeria.”

As of press time, neither the Nigeria Police Force nor the Borno State Government had publicly responded to the allegations.

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