Panic and confusion broke out on Monday at the UTC area of Abuja after police officers fired tear gas canisters to disperse a peaceful demonstration calling for the release of detained IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
The protest, tagged #FreeNnamdiKanuNow, drew the participation of human rights activist Omoyele Sowore, traders, and members of civil society who gathered to demand Kanu’s freedom and the enforcement of several court orders directing his release.
Witnesses said the demonstration was peaceful until security operatives, armed and masked, moved in suddenly, firing tear gas and chasing participants. The air was filled with smoke as traders, protesters, and passers-by ran in different directions for safety.
“We were only holding placards and chanting, ‘Free Nnamdi Kanu Now,’ when they came,” said a protester who identified himself as Obinna. “They didn’t issue any warning, they just started firing tear gas. Many people fainted instantly.”
Video clips shared on social media showed clouds of tear gas covering the market area as people screamed and stumbled, struggling to breathe. Several protesters collapsed, while others were seen assisting those overcome by the fumes.
Eyewitnesses said Omoyele Sowore, who was addressing the protesters when police arrived, was also caught in the middle of the chaos.
“They shot tear gas directly towards the crowd where Sowore stood,” said a trader who witnessed the incident. “Even those who were not protesting, ordinary shop owners were affected. It was total confusion.”
In a brief statement following the incident, Sowore condemned the police action, describing it as “a violation of citizens’ fundamental rights to peaceful assembly.”
“We came peacefully to demand justice and respect for the rule of law,” he said. “The state’s violent response only shows fear of truth and intolerance of dissent.”
Many of the traders complained of losses after abandoning their shops to escape the smoke. Some said their wares were damaged or stolen during the stampede.
The police, as of the time of filing this report, have not issued any statement regarding the use of force against the protesters.
The #FreeNnamdiKanuNow campaign has continued to gather momentum among rights groups and activists, who accuse the Federal Government of disobeying multiple court rulings ordering Kanu’s release.
Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has been detained by the Department of State Services (DSS) since 2021 following his extraordinary rendition from Kenya. His continued detention remains one of the most contentious human rights issues in Nigeria today.
As of press time, several civil society organizations have condemned Monday’s police action and demanded an independent investigation into what they described as an “unprovoked assault on peaceful citizens.”
