Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, was on Thursday reportedly taken to hospital after a confrontation between police operatives and protesters at Unity Fountain in Abuja.

Witnesses said Sowore collapsed after security personnel fired tear gas to disperse demonstrators who had gathered to mark Democracy Day and protest against insecurity, economic hardship, and governance concerns.

The protest, which drew civil society groups and activists, was disrupted when police moved in to break up the gathering, triggering panic as protesters fled the area amid clouds of tear gas.

In the chaos, Sowore was said to have been affected by the tear gas and subsequently lost consciousness.

Supporters and fellow activists reportedly rushed him out of the scene, and sources said he briefly regained consciousness while being evacuated in a vehicle.

He has since been taken to an undisclosed hospital for medical attention and further evaluation.