Chaos erupted in Nigeria’s capital city, Abuja, on Monday as police operatives reportedly used tear gas and force to disperse a crowd of #RescueNnamdiKanuNow protesters.
The #RescueNnamdiKanuNow protesters are demanding the immediate release of the detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
The protest, tagged saw scores of demonstrators caught in the ensuing pandemonium.
However, the demonstration quickly descended into disarray when security forces reportedly moved aggressively to halt the march.
Eyewitness accounts confirmed that heavily armed police and security personnel were deployed to key demonstration spots in Abuja, including areas near government offices, which had been the planned route for the march.
As the protesters, carrying placards and chanting solidarity songs, attempted to press forward, police reportedly deployed multiple canisters of tear gas.
The sudden use of chemical irritants sent the crowd scrambling for safety. Protesters, media personnel, and even passersby were seen coughing, their eyes streaming, as the gas permeated the air.
Recall that the #RescueNnamdiKanuNow protest was convened by Human Rights activist, Omoyele Sowore.
Sowore had called for the immediate release of Kanu, describing his detention as unlawful.
Speaking on the development, Sowore accused security operatives of an “unprovoked attack” on peaceful demonstrators in Abuja on Monday.
The activist claimed that live bullets were fired at the group and that the younger brother and lawyer of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, were arrested and allegedly beaten.
He said that the incident occurred during a protest demanding the release of Kanu.
Sowore alleged that a combined team of Police, Army, and Civil Defence personnel launched a sudden assault on the protesters near the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.
“Eventually, they did arrest some people. I heard Nnamdi Kanu’s younger brother was arrested and beaten, and his lawyer was also arrested and beaten. They’ve all been taken to the FCT Command.
“There were about 10 trucks that arrived as soon as we started the protest. There was no provocation on our part, like we had promised, it was an orderly and peaceful protest.
“Suddenly, from nowhere, they started shooting at us, and tear gas and live bullets were fired. Luckily, I don’t think anybody was hit with live bullets, but they were just shooting all around us,” he said.
The development came after security operatives reportedly fired tear gas and live rounds to disperse protesters demanding the release of Nnamdi Kanu in Abuja.
The protest, led by Sowore, took place despite a court order and police warning. Protesters chanted, “Free Nnamdi Kanu now,” “It’s our constitutional right to protest,” and “Don’t tear gas us,” before security forces fired shots and tear gas, forcing them to flee.
