Security operatives have reportedly fired tear gas canisters at protesters, including human rights activist Omoyele Sowore, who gathered in Abuja this Monday, to demand the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.
The protest which is tagged #ReleaseNnamdiKanuNow, was planned to take off from the Transcorp Hilton area and other parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), but was disrupted as police officers moved in early, reportedly firing multiple rounds of tear gas to disperse participants and passersby.
Reports say the operatives cordoned off the hotel and adjoining streets and began firing tear gas even before protesters arrived in large numbers.
Soldiers, police, and operatives of the Department of State Services were deployed to key locations, including the Three Arms Zone, Eagle Square, Federal Secretariat, Unity Fountain, and routes leading to Aso Rock.
Sowore also said on X that the police have arrested Nnamdi Kanu’s brother, and his lawyer, AloyEjimakor, as well as innocent bystanders alleging that they were beaten and taken to the FCT command.
