Human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has raised alarm over the continued use of tear gas and kinetic impact projectiles by the Nigeria Police Force, warning that the crowd-control methods pose serious public health and safety risks and should not be described as “non-lethal.”
Sowore made the remarks in a post shared via his X (formerly Twitter) account on Thursday, where he cited medical research linking tear gas agents such as CS and CN to eye injuries, skin irritation, and respiratory complications, particularly among vulnerable individuals and in enclosed environments.
“Tear gas could kill you,” Sowore wrote, stressing that while such weapons are often classified as “less-lethal,” they are far from harmless when deployed indiscriminately or at close range. He also referenced international studies showing that kinetic projectiles, when fired directly at individuals—especially towards the head or torso—have resulted in severe injuries, permanent disabilities, and fatalities.
Drawing from personal experience, Sowore said his concerns were shaped by repeated exposure to tear gas deployments over the years. He recounted incidents during past civil unrest and protest actions, including occasions in Lagos, Abuja, and during EndSARS remembrance activities at the Lekki Toll Gate, where tear gas use reportedly caused serious harm to civilians.
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He also alleged that he sustained a significant injury after a tear gas canister was fired at close range by a police officer during a protest in Abuja. According to him, these experiences underscore the dangers of treating tear gas as a routine or harmless crowd-control tool.
Sowore further criticized the Nigeria Police Force for what he described as a lack of transparency and accountability in the use of force, insisting that full disclosure and strict regulation are necessary to prevent abuse and protect civilian lives.
“These methods are not deployed merely to disperse crowds,” he said, accusing law enforcement officers of using tear gas in ways that could have long-term or fatal consequences.
The Nigeria Police Force has yet to respond publicly to the allegations.