Sowore Blasts Buratai Over Call for New Lockdown, Criticizes Defence Chief’s Self-Defense Remark

Human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, has sharply criticized former Chief of Army Staff, Yusuf Tukur Buratai, following the latter’s recent suggestion for a nationwide lockdown to combat rising insecurity in the country. During a Channels TV interview, Buratai advocated for a lockdown similar to the one implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic, claiming it would help curb banditry, terrorism, and kidnapping.

Sowore took to Facebook to reject the proposal, recalling Buratai’s role during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown, which he said was marred by the violent suppression of #EndSARS protesters. He accused Buratai of having a history of mishandling crises and labeled his latest suggestion as misguided.

In the same post, Sowore also condemned Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, for suggesting martial arts and “Kung-fu self-defense” as a way for citizens to protect themselves in the face of escalating insecurity. He described the remark as irresponsible and out of touch with the gravity of Nigeria’s security challenges.

“These are the types of individuals who have brought Nigeria to its knees,” Sowore wrote. “Faced with serious national crises, they offer nothing but nonsense and empty rhetoric.”