By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu
Tension gripped parts of Abuja on Thursday following the arrest of human rights activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force.
Sowore, who is also the convener of the #RevolutionNow movement, was reportedly picked up by armed policemen during his renewed agitation for the release of the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
Eyewitnesses said the activist was forced into a waiting vehicle and driven to an undisclosed location shortly after addressing a small gathering near the Unity Fountain, Abuja.
Human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, confirmed the arrest to our correspondent, saying, “Yes, Sowore has just been arrested by the Nigerian police.”
Although the reason for his arrest has not been officially disclosed, sources said he was accused of continued public disturbance following repeated demonstrations demanding Kanu’s release.
Security presence around the Unity Fountain and adjoining areas was said to have been beefed up as passersby fled to avoid confrontation.
As of the time of filing this report, the police had yet to make an official statement on the arrest.