JUST IN: Sowore, Others Take To Their Heels As Military Fires Teargas, Live Bull£ts At #FreeNnamdiKanu Protest In Abuja

JUST IN: Sowore, Others Take To Their Heels As Military Fires Teargas, Live Bullets At #FreeNnamdiKanu Protest In Abuja

Tension gripped parts of Abuja earlier today as security operatives reportedly opened fire — using teargas and live ammunition — to disperse protesters demanding the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

The protest, which gathered momentum around the Federal Capital Territory, saw a large turnout of activists, including Omoyele Sowore, convener of the #RevolutionNow movement. What began as a peaceful demonstration soon turned chaotic when armed military personnel arrived at the scene.

Eyewitnesses said the protesters were chanting solidarity songs and carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Free Nnamdi Kanu Now!”, “Justice for All,” and “Freedom Is Not a Crime”, before the military began firing teargas canisters to disperse the crowd.

According to reports, the situation quickly escalated when some officers allegedly fired live bullets into the air, forcing several demonstrators, including Sowore, to flee for safety. Videos circulating online show protesters scampering in different directions amid thick clouds of teargas.

Sowore, who narrowly escaped the chaos, condemned the use of force against peaceful protesters, describing it as “an act of tyranny” and “a reflection of the government’s intolerance to dissent.” He vowed that the struggle for freedom and justice for Nnamdi Kanu would continue despite intimidation

Meanwhile, several participants were reportedly arrested during the confrontation, although the exact number remains unclear at the time of filing this report.

Human rights groups have since called for restraint, urging the Nigerian government to respect the rights of citizens to peaceful protest and to address the long-standing detention of Nnamdi Kanu, which they describe as a violation of fundamental human rights

As of press time, normalcy is said to be returning to the area, but tension remains high as protesters vow to continue their demand until Kanu is released unconditionally.

Source: Field reports, eyewitness accounts, and social media footage.