It was a scene of chaos and confusion on Monday morning in Abuja as police officers fired volleys of teargas to disperse protesters demanding the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
The protest, held in front of the prestigious Transcorp Hilton Hotel in the Maitama district, drew the attention of passersby, security agents, and curious onlookers who watched the unfolding drama in disbelief.
What began as a peaceful call for justice quickly turned into a frantic scramble for safety when security operatives moved in with teargas canisters and batons. Within minutes, the air around the hotel was thick with choking smoke, sending protesters and bystanders fleeing in all directions.
Among those caught in the commotion was human rights activist and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, who had joined the protesters to express solidarity with the group’s demand for freedom.
Eyewitnesses said Sowore was seen covering his face as teargas fumes filled the air. In the heat of the moment, he dashed for cover alongside several protesters who sought refuge behind parked vehicles and nearby buildings.
“The police came suddenly and started firing teargas. Everyone started running. Even Sowore was coughing and trying to escape the smoke,” one witness recounted breathlessly.
The demonstrators had converged at the hotel earlier in the day, carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Free Nnamdi Kanu Now!” and “Justice Delayed Is Justice Denied.” Their chants echoed through the streets, drawing both sympathy and caution from motorists and pedestrians.
According to sources, the protesters had planned to march peacefully to the National Assembly, but their movement was halted by armed police officers who insisted that the gathering had not received prior approval.
As tension escalated, several protesters tried to engage the police in dialogue, but the situation quickly deteriorated when officers fired the first round of teargas, forcing everyone to scatter. The once vibrant rally ground turned into a haze of panic and screams.
Videos circulating online captured moments of confusion — protesters coughing, security operatives advancing, and Sowore’s familiar face emerging briefly before disappearing into the crowd.
By mid-morning, the busy Hilton area had transformed into a security zone. Patrol vehicles lined the road, while police operatives stood guard, ensuring no regrouping of protesters.
Despite the heavy presence of security personnel, some protesters later regrouped at a distance, vowing to continue their campaign for Nnamdi Kanu’s release. “We are not afraid,” one protester declared. “They can’t silence us forever.”
Nnamdi Kanu has been in detention since his arrest and extradition to Nigeria in 2021. Despite several court rulings ordering his release, the government has continued to hold him on charges bordering on treasonable felony and terrorism.
Efforts to reach the spokesperson of the Federal Capital Territory Police Command for clarification were unsuccessful, as calls and messages were not immediately returned.
By the afternoon, the smell of teargas still lingered faintly around the Hilton area — a stark reminder of the morning’s confrontation. For many witnesses, it was another moment in Nigeria’s long struggle between protest and power, voices and authority, smoke and silence.
