Police officers on Monday dispersed a group of protesters in Abuja who were demanding the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
The demonstrators, made up of civil rights activists and pro-democracy groups under the banner #ReleaseNnamdiKanuNow, had initially gathered around Maitama, but were forced to flee when police fired multiple rounds of tear gas to break up the protest.
After regrouping at Utako, the protesters continued chanting solidarity songs and waving banners, calling on the Federal Government to obey the 2022 Court of Appeal judgment that discharged and acquitted Kanu. However, armed security operatives soon arrived at the scene and dispersed them again using tear gas.
The repeated clashes caused panic among commuters and traders, as people scampered for safety in nearby streets and shops.
One eyewitness told our correspondent that the protesters were peaceful before the police moved in.
“They were just singing and holding placards when the police came and started shooting tear gas. Everybody had to run,” the witness said.
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In response, security around the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has been beefed up. Soldiers, police officers, and operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) were seen stationed at key locations including Eagle Square, the Federal Secretariat, and the Three Arms Zone.
At the Berger Roundabout, our correspondent also observed a large detachment of soldiers, with a gun truck positioned at the intersection as part of heightened security measures.
The police have yet to issue an official statement on the incident as of the time of this report.
