A self-proclaimed northern youth leader, Abdul Dambature, has issued a direct threat to human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, over his recent criticisms of former military dictators from northern Nigeria, including the late General Sani Abacha.

Sowore had recently taken to social media to condemn what he described as the celebration of the Abacha family amid Nigeria’s current economic struggles under President Bola Tinubu’s government.

“Imagine Abacha family celebrating the fact that their ex-maximum dictator father left Nigeria better than Tinubu is running it!” Sowore posted.

The activist also lashed out at former military ruler General Ibrahim Babangida (Rtd.), calling him a “CRAZE MAN, DOING ANIMAL TALKING!” following Babangida’s controversial statement regarding a deadly flood in Niger State that claimed over 200 lives.

Babangida had said, “What happened in Mokwa is unfortunate but it is ordained by Allah. It is beyond our powers and this is why we should all continue to pray for the souls of the deceased."

In a video posted to Facebook, Dambature, who introduced himself as the President of Northern Nigerian Youths, lashed out at Sowore for what he described as repeated disrespect toward northern leaders, especially late Abacha.

“My name is Ambassador Abdul Dambature, the President of Northern Nigerian Youths. I want to send a direct warning, a direct warning, I say it once again, a direct warning to Sowore,” he began.

“Sowore, enough is enough. We are warning you. You have been doing that with most of our elders from the North… Now again, you have been doing it on General Sani Abacha.”

Dambature, who described Abacha as “one of our sterling icons,” expressed outrage that the late dictator was being criticised despite his death.

“General Sani Abacha is no more. He is late. But why is it that everybody will keep on saying trash against General Sani Abacha? Is it because he is no more? Is it because he cannot wake up and speak for himself?”

WATCH: Arewa Youth 'President' Danbature Threatens to Assault @YeleSowore on the Streets of Abuja for Insulting Former Nigerian Military Dictator Sani Abacha pic.twitter.com/JYQGby45op

— Sahara Reporters (@SaharaReporters) June 15, 2025

He then went further to threaten physical violence against Sowore if he continues to speak against northern figures.

“If you ever disrespect anybody from Northern Nigeria, we will make sure we'll flog you in the street of Abuja. Enough is enough.”

“You have been doing that with most of our elders from the North. You have been doing that with (former) President Muhammadu Buhari. Now again, you have been doing it on General Sani Abacha,” Dambature said.

“We cannot take it any longer. If you think you can disrespect the Inspector General of Police or you can disrespect anybody, any elders from the South, where you came from, you don't respect elders, we will not allow you to disrespect our elders from the North.

“We, the Northern Nigerian Youth, respect our elders, our leaders, most especially General Sani Abacha. General Sani Abacha is one of our sterling icons, whom we, the Northern Nigerian Youth, respect so much. General Sani Abacha is no more.”

He continued, “If you ever disrespect anybody from the North, from the North again, I will not take it lightly. It's better you know that you are now more a youth leader. Please go and look for business and do.

“You need to go and look for a better business and do so that you stop disrespecting elders. If you think you can insult any elders from the South where you came from, you don't respect leaders where you came from, we will not allow you to continue doing that in the North. Enough is enough.

“Don't ever again, don't ever, I said, don't ever insult anybody from the North. Any elders from the North, talk less of calling the name of General Sani Abacha.”

In May, a group of protesters held a public demonstration in Abuja, demanding the prosecution of Sowore for what they described as "consistent attacks" on politicians, including former Senate President Bukola Saraki and former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi.

Chanting slogans and carrying placards with messages like “Mass Rally Against Fake Activists And Manipulators” and “Opposition Rejects Sowore And His Minions,” the group harshly criticised Sowore for his persistent criticism of Nigerian leaders and his stance on systemic irregularities.

The protesters accused Sowore of using his platform and social media influence for "personal vengeance” while making comments on issues of national interest.

Speaking to journalists during the protest, one of the organisers said: “We are here today to address the pattern of reckless rascality disguised as activism. One that has become a dangerous virus in our national life. Championed by none other than Omoyele Sowore.

“What began as a promising voice of dissent has now descended into toxic cocktail of arrogance, misinformation, and deliberate blackmail.”

The speaker alleged that Sowore’s “criticisms are not borne out of patriotism but out of personal bitterness and bloated sense of righteousness”.

He said, “He sees nothing good in Nigeria, but because he has trained himself to only see through the lens of conflict.

“For example, he falsely and viciously targeted Bukola Saraki, launching a barrage of accusations, with no solid proof.”

“He blackmailed Peter Obi and several other political figures to the extent that the title of Blackmailer-in-Chief was coined for him,” the speaker said.

The group called for the immediate prosecution of Sowore for “cyber libel, incitement, calculated character assassination”.

“Enough is enough. Freedom of speech was never meant to be a weapon of social sabotage,” the speaker said.

They further urged key stakeholders in Nigeria’s civil society and media landscape to distance themselves from Sowore.

Against Sowore

Earlier in May, SaharaReporters detailed how the Concerned Christian Youth Forum (CCYF) held a protest in Abuja, decrying what it called escalating attacks on the Christian faith and its leaders. The group alleged that these attacks were being spearheaded by Sowore.

During the protest, James Adama Paul, convener of CCYF, threatened the former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), warning that the group might resort to taking the law into its own hands if Sowore continued to intervene in cases involving content creators arrested at the behest of Christian religious leaders.

He criticised Sowore for repeatedly blocking police attempts to violate the rights of content creators who speak out against Christian religious leaders.

Adama also accused Sowore of interfering in legal processes and of consistently securing the release of individuals detained for criticising influential Christian clerics.

He warned that they might be forced to deal with Sowore and take the law into their own hands, referring to Sowore’s efforts to defend free speech and prevent rights violations by law enforcement.

“With what is happening now, it is clear he is trying to raise an army against the church—and we will no longer tolerate it. It’s either he stops, or we may be forced to take matters into our own hands. That’s what this means," he warned.

Explaining why the group might resort to vigilante action against Sowore, Adama stated, “We have made a number of arrests across different parts of the country, and Sowore has intervened in several of these cases. In many instances, he has taken it upon himself to secure bail for the suspects. One prominent example is Olumide Ogunsayo John, also known as Seaking.”

SaharaReporters previously reported that members of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) aligned with Seyi Tinubu had also issued threats to attack Sowore.

Sowore had recently raised an alarm over threats to his life, alleging that various political and religious figures, along with their loyalists, were targeting him due to his outspoken stance.

In a post shared on his social media handle, Sowore accused the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, whom he often refers to as "illegal", of being among those targeting him.

He also listed “Prosperity Pastors,” non-academic student leaders at NANS, and supporters of prominent political figures as part of a growing group targeting him.

Sowore alleged that Mr. Peter Obi, a former presidential candidate and his "mob" were also after him.

He further accused President Bola Tinubu of being part of the plot to silence him, along with a group of Northern social media users he called the “Arewa Twitter mob.”

He linked the threats to his continued activism against corruption, police brutality, and the decaying state of Nigeria’s education system, issues he has persistently spoken out against for years.

Sowore, a long-time critic of successive Nigerian governments and founder of Sahara Reporters, has faced repeated arrests and detentions in the past over his activism.

In 2019, he was arrested by the Nigerian State Security Service (SSS), otherwise known as the Department of State Services (DSS), for alleged treason after calling for a protest tagged #RevolutionNow. His detention sparked widespread condemnation from human rights groups and activists.

Later, in 2021, Sowore was assaulted during a protest in Abuja on January 1 and was injured by a police officer during another protest on May 31.

"The illegal Inspector-General of Police is after me! Prosperity Pastors are after me! Non-academic students at “NANS” are on my case! Mr. Peter Obi and his mob are after me! Tinubu is after my life! Arewa Twitter mob after me," Sowore wrote.

Previously, SaharaReporters reported that pro-Seyi Tinubu NANS members linked to cultists had threatened to attack Sowore, and a social media activist, Martins Otse, otherwise known as VeryDarkMan.

The NANS officials had also admitted to kidnapping and assaulting a factional NANS President, Atiku Isah Abubakar, before he was indefinitely detained by the DSS.

On May 7, 2025, SaharaReporters reported that the NANS, with backing from Seyi Tinubu and operatives of the DSS, was plotting an attack on Sowore.

According to sources familiar with the matter, covert meetings had been held between Seyi Tinubu and some NANS leaders to coordinate an attack on Sowore, with the reported involvement of DSS operatives.

The plan allegedly involved mobilising political thugs in retaliation for SaharaReporters’ consistent exposure of political misconduct.

Tensions escalated further when Akinteye Babtee Babatunde, Senate President of the NANS faction reportedly loyal to Seyi Tinubu, issued a public threat against Sowore via Facebook.

In the post, Akinteye accused Sowore of attempting to destabilise Nigeria and called for "bold actions" against him.

“The only mission Omoyele Sowore has is to set Nigeria on fire,” Akinteye wrote. “He must do this always so he can keep accessing his international funding. NANS leadership needs to take bold actions on his shenanigans. NANS is not a playing ground 100%.”

Several other NANS members commented under Akinteye’s post, openly threatening Sowore.

For instance, Suleiman Mahmud T. wrote, “It’s time we see him as an enemy of the organisation. Let’s give all it takes to make him pay for his actions.”

“Good observation. But I think a vote of warning should be forwarded to him by NANS officials before it gets out of hand. No one is too small for NANS to discipline,” Akande Gbenga Gabriel stated.

Odunjo Adio added that he “honestly” wished Sowore’s excesses could “be checked immediately”.

“He too dey do rubbish,” he added.

Owolewa Taiwo said, “We need to engage the guy in the coming days.”

According to Amtai Ali Saidu, “The we going a fight with him (sic)”.

The threats followed SaharaReporters’ investigations into the assault on factional NANS President Atiku Isah, who had alleged that Seyi Tinubu offered him a N100 million bribe to abandon his ambition in favour of government-backed candidate Ladoja Olusola.

Follow the Sahara Reporters channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaFClvtH5JM6SSsP7M2Y