SECURITY operatives, yesterday, fired tear gas and gunshots to disperse protesters in Abuja who were demanding the release of Nnamdi Kanu. Activist Omoyele Sowore led the march despite a court order and police warning. Protesters chanted, “Free NnamdiKanu now,” “It’s our constitutional right to protest,” and “Don’t tear gas us,” before the police shots eventually dispersed them.
Some shouted, “Tear gas cannot stop us,” as they fled the scene. The #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest began near Transcorp Hilton and other areas in the Federal Capital Territory. Police arrived early and fired tear gas to disperse protesters and onlookers. Operatives were positioned along major routes to Aso Rock, with heavy security at Eagle Square, Unity Fountain, and the Three Arms Zone.
Our correspondent reports that all access roads to the Federal Secretariat and the Three Arms Zone were barricaded.
Security operatives blocked entry to Unity Fountain, the protest take-off point, and denied access to motorists and pedestrians. Heavily armed personnel patrolled the area, leaving both Unity Fountain and the Three Arms Zone inaccessible.
A combined team of soldiers and police officers has fired tear gas at a crowd gathered near the Nigeria Union of Journalists secretariat in the Utako area of Abuja. The crowd, which was not part of the protest, dispersed quickly as security operatives moved in.
Sowore, who spoke yesterday, said the organisers had informed the police about the protest in advance.The activist alleged that some protesters “were arrested and bystanders were forced into police vehicles.”
Sowore also recounted the incident, saying, “There were about 10 trucks that arrived at the same time we began the protest. There was no provocation on our part. As we had promised, it was an orderly and peaceful protest. It was an unprovoked attack from the police and a combined team of security operatives.
