By Abiola Olawale
Chaos erupted in Nigeria’s capital city, Abuja, on Monday as police operatives reportedly used tear gas and force to disperse a crowd of protesters demanding the immediate release of the detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
The protest, tagged #FreeNnamdiKanuNow, saw scores of demonstrators caught in the ensuing pandemonium.
However, the demonstration quickly descended into disarray when security forces reportedly moved aggressively to halt the march.
Eyewitness accounts confirmed that heavily armed police and security personnel were deployed to key demonstration spots in Abuja, including areas near government offices, which had been the planned route for the march.
As the protesters, carrying placards and chanting solidarity songs, attempted to press forward, police reportedly deployed multiple canisters of tear gas.
The sudden use of chemical irritants sent the crowd scrambling for safety. Protesters, media personnel, and even passersby were seen coughing, their eyes streaming, as the gas permeated the air.
Recall that the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest was convened by Human Rights activist, Omoyele Sowore.
Sowore had called for the immediate release of Kanu, describing his detention as unlawful.
