Democracy Day: How Police Fired Tear Gas At Sowore, Other Demonstrators In Abuja

Muhammed Abubakar, Reporting 

THERE was chaos around Eagle Square in the Nigerian capital on Friday after police officers fired tear gas canisters at demonstrators, including activist Omoyele Sowore, during a protest against insecurity and economic hardship.

The protest was part of a nationwide mobilisation by a coalition of civic groups demanding action over rising insecurity, the release of abducted school children, and worsening living conditions. Demonstrators had been marching from the popular Berger Bus Stop towards Eagle Square when the incident occurred.

Police operatives stationed around Eagle Square were reported to have fired tear gas at close range as the protesters approached the area. Video footage showed demonstrators fleeing for safety, with Mr Sowore seen being aided by fellow protesters as he gasped for air. The footage also showed him on the ground receiving assistance.

‘Strange Gas’

Mr Sowore accused the police of deploying “strange gas” at “close range” at the protest ground.

“Today, operatives of the Nigeria Police Force deployed a strange gas at the protest ground, at close range, which entered my lungs and left me struggling to breathe before I eventually collapsed,” he said on X.

According to him, the incident demonstrated increasingly dangerous tactics being used to suppress dissent and intimidate citizens exercising their constitutional rights.

“The objective of the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu regime is to silence, destroy, and crush all opposition through fear and force. We shall never succumb to any of his worn-out tactics. We will keep going until we achieve liberation,” added the activist, who is also the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress for the 2027 general elections.

The police had yet to issue an official statement at the time of this report.

‘Reckless Attack’

Amnesty International condemned what it described as “the reckless attack on peaceful protesters” during the Democracy Day protest at Unity Fountain in Abuja, in which Mr Sowore collapsed and was subsequently “taken to a hospital”.

“The deliberate targeting of Sowore must be investigated. Such targeting of activists solely for exercising freedom of assembly is unlawful and shows utter disregard for the rule of law,” the group said on X on Friday.

It noted that the Nigerian authorities were “clearly using violence” to crack down on human rights, including the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.

“President Tinubu’s government has failed to demonstrate commitment to upholding the country’s constitution and its international human rights obligations that allow people to freely exercise their human rights, including the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly,” Amnesty International added.