By Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

There was tension in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja on Monday morning when a group of protesters numbering over forty stormed the popular Unity Fountain for a proposed ‘BuhariMustGo’ protest.

The Convener of RevolutionNow, Omoyele Sowore and a former presidential aspirant of African Action Congress (AAC), who led the protesters was resisted by a high level detachment of heavily armed police officers who blocked the entrance of the arena.

The Unity Fountain over the years has been known for a space where both anti and pro government groups as well as right activists gather for rallies.

Since the beginning of this administration, the Unity Fountain has been manned by heavy security men due to the insecurity in the country.

Government has also restricted protests to the Unity Fountain with proper permission from security agencies.

Finding revealed that the crisis ensued when the protesters who were refused entry into the Unity Fountain, remained at the entrance and started chanting anti-government songs.

An eyewitness, James Omole told our correspondent that Sowore was tear gassed by a female police officer while trying to disperse the group from the scene.

Read Also; Sowore reportedly teargassed during protest in Abuja

He said: “the officer that shot the teargas was an ACP. I watched Sowore going down after the teargas went into the air.

“The officer fired a teargas canister and Sowore was directly targeted.”

Sowore who is the Publisher of Sahara Reporters and human rights activist was immediately rushed to an undisclosed hospital for medical treatment.

One of his lawyers, Inibehe Effiong also alleged a female police officer teargassed Sowore during the protest.

He added; “Omoyele Sowore has just been shot by a female police officer at the Unity Fountain in Abuja. He is being taken to the hospital for treatment.

“The officer fired a teargas canister directly at his right thigh. Sowore was specifically targeted.”

Sowore, in a terse post on his handle @YeleSowore, said: “Just been shot by a police officer, ACP Atine at the Unity Fountain in Abuja. #RevolutionNow

“Let the struggle continue even if they take my life! #BuhariMustGo.”

When our correspondent called the police for reaction to the allegation that a police officer fired a bullet, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Yusuf Meriam debunked the allegation that Sowore was shot.

Sowore told our correspondent through a telephone conversation that: “I was shot at point range with a teargas canister gun by officer CSP Atine. I am in the hospital still receiving treatment on my right thigh. This was a targeted attack by the Nigerian Police Force”.

Mariam said the protesters went on rampage and were resisted by Police Operatives in order to prevent them from causing a breakdown of law and order.

Her words: “The FCT Police Command wishes to debunk the viral message in some sections of the social media purporting that ‘Omoyele Sowere was shot by a female Assistant Commissioner of Police’ at the Unity Fountain.

“Contrary to the speculation, Police Operatives professionally restored calm at the Unity Fountain following attempts by a group of protesters to incite public disturbance. The protesters who went on the rampage were resisted by Police Operatives in order to prevent them from causing a breakdown of law and order. There is no record of such an incident as at the time of this release.

“The Command enjoins residents to remain calm and law-abiding while reaffirming its commitment towards the protection of lives and property within the FCT.”

Meanwhile, as at when filing this report, a large number of policemen are on ground at the Unity Fountain and normalcy has since returned.