A Democracy Day protest in Abuja turned chaotic on Friday after police officers fired teargas at demonstrators, including activist Omoyele Sowore, during a march against insecurity and worsening living conditions across Nigeria.
The protest formed part of a nationwide mobilisation by a coalition of civic groups calling on the government to address growing insecurity, economic hardship and the rising cost of living.
The demonstrators were reportedly marching from Berger Bus Stop towards Eagle Square to demand an end to increasing insecurity, the release of abducted schoolchildren and improved governance when security operatives intervened.
Witnesses said police officers stationed around Eagle Square fired teargas canisters at close range as the protesters approached the area, causing panic and forcing many demonstrators to flee.
Videos from the scene showed protesters running for safety, while Sowore appeared to be struggling to breathe and was assisted by fellow demonstrators. In another clip, the activist was seen lying on the ground as people attended to him.
Reacting to the incident, Sowore alleged that police officers deployed what he described as a “strange gas” during the protest.
“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 reflects increasingly dangerous methods 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,” the activist, who is also the presidential candidate of the Action Alliance for the 2027 general elections, added.
The Nigeria Police Force had not issued an official statement on the incident as of the time of filing this report.
Meanwhile, Amnesty International condemned what it described as “the reckless attack on peaceful protesters” during the Democracy Day demonstration at Unity Fountain in Abuja, noting that Sowore collapsed and was later “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 organisation said on X on Friday.
Amnesty International further accused Nigerian authorities of using violence to suppress fundamental rights, including 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 InternaPtional added.