Police Defend Teargas Use at Abuja Protest, Cite Threat to Critical Infrastructure

Police authorities have defended the use of teargas to disperse protesters who gathered in Abuja on Monday under the #FreeNnamdiKanu campaign. Force spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin said the action was to protect critical infrastructure and enforce a court order restricting demonstrations near Aso Rock, the National Assembly, and other high-security areas.

Security agents had positioned themselves early around Transcorp Hilton, Unity Fountain, and the Three Arms Zone, where they fired teargas to prevent protesters from advancing. Access roads to key government buildings were barricaded.

Also Read: Police Fire Tear Gas to Disperse #FreeNnamdiKanu Protesters in Abuja

Activist Omoyele Sowore, who led the demonstration, accused the police of excessive force, alleging that peaceful protesters and bystanders were arrested. He said Nnamdi Kanu’s brother and lawyer were among those detained, describing the incident as an unprovoked attack on lawful demonstrators.