Workers panic as police fire teargas at #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protesters
By Tawheed Yakub
The Central Business District of Abuja was thrown into confusion on Monday morning after police officers fired tear gas to Disperse protesters calling for the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu.
The protest, organised under the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow movement, began peacefully near the Ministry of Finance but soon turned chaotic as police blocked major roads and restricted movement around the area.
Read also: NSCDC warns protesters to shun violence ahead of #FreeNnamdiKanuNow rally in Abuja
According to eyewitnesses, the officers fired several rounds of tear gas, causing panic among workers and commuters who were on their way to their offices. Many people were seen coughing, running for safety, and covering their faces with cloths to protect themselves from the gas.
“I almost lost my vision,” said Neptune Prime reporter Tawheed Yakub, who was present during the incident. “It was my first time inhaling tear gas my eyes burned and I could barely see.”
Human rights activist and Sahara Reporters publisher Omoyele Sowore, who led the protest, claimed that police arrested some individuals, including Nnamdi Kanu’s brother and his lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor.
The police had earlier warned against any form of protest in the capital city, citing a court order that restricted public demonstrations in some parts of Abuja.
By midday, the area around the Ministry of Finance was calm again, but the effects of the tear gas could still be felt. The roads were littered with used canisters, and many workers expressed frustration over the disruption.
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