Tension gripped Nigeria’s capital city on Monday as security operatives fired tear gas and live bullets to disperse peaceful protesters demanding the immediate release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
The protest, which was tagged #FreeNnamdiKanuNow, was led by rights activist and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, alongside several pro-democracy campaigners and civil society members who converged in Abuja to press their demand for justice and freedom.
Eyewitnesses report that the protest, which started peacefully at the Unity Fountain, was quickly met with a heavy deployment of armed police officers and soldiers who cordoned off major access routes leading to the National Assembly and Presidential Villa.
According to multiple witnesses, the situation escalated when security operatives began firing canisters of tear gas into the crowd, causing panic among the protesters. Several demonstrators were seen coughing, struggling to breathe, and scampering for safety as live bullets were allegedly fired into the air to disperse the gathering.
Videos circulating on social media showed Sowore confronting the armed operatives and condemning the excessive use of force against unarmed Nigerians exercising their constitutional right to peaceful assembly.
Speaking after the chaotic scene, Sowore decried what he described as “a shameful display of state-sponsored intimidation” and vowed that no amount of repression would silence the call for justice.
“This is a peaceful protest demanding the release of Nnamdi Kanu, yet the Nigerian state has once again demonstrated its intolerance for dissent. Shooting live bullets and tear gas at citizens is barbaric, unconstitutional, and unacceptable,” Sowore stated.
He urged the Inspector General of Police and other relevant authorities to investigate the conduct of the officers involved, insisting that Nigerians must not be treated like enemies for expressing legitimate concerns.
Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has remained in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) despite several court orders granting him bail. His prolonged detention has continued to draw condemnation from local and international human rights organizations who argue that his continued incarceration violates constitutional provisions and the rule of law.
Monday’s protest is the latest in a series of nationwide demonstrations calling for Kanu’s release, with activists insisting that his case has become a test of Nigeria’s democratic integrity and respect for human rights.
Human rights groups have strongly condemned the use of excessive force by the Nigerian police. The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) described the police response as “an attack on democracy,” while Amnesty International has called for an independent probe into the incident.
“The right to peaceful protest is protected under Nigeria’s Constitution and international law. The use of tear gas and live ammunition against unarmed civilians is a gross violation that must not go unpunished,” Amnesty stated in a brief social media post.
Despite the chaos, the protesters vowed to continue their agitation until justice is done. They called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to respect the rule of law and demonstrate commitment to justice by ordering Kanu’s unconditional release.
As of press time, there were unconfirmed reports of injuries and arrests, but security authorities have yet to issue an official statement.
The protest, though dispersed, has once again rekindled national debate over civil liberties, freedom of expression, and the boundaries of lawful state power in a democratic society.
