ecurity operatives on Monday unleashed violence on traders and passersby in Abuja, firing several rounds of tear gas canisters into the popular Eda Plaza, a major building materials hub in the capital city.
The chaotic scene unfolded around the Habitat area along Jabi Road, as police officers attempted to disperse crowds believed to be part of a peaceful protest demanding the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
Witnesses said the police fired tear gas indiscriminately into the plaza, forcing hundreds of traders and customers to flee in panic. Several people reportedly fainted, while others sustained injuries as they scrambled for safety.
“The police just started shooting tear gas everywhere. Even people who were not part of any protest were affected. Inside the plaza, everyone was choking, people were falling, children were crying,” a trader who identified himself as Emeka told SaharaReporters.
Many businesses in the area were forced to close abruptly as the tear gas spread through adjoining shops and streets. Security vehicles later blocked major access roads, effectively locking down the entire market zone.
The protest, which was organised by Sowore and other pro-democracy groups, turned violent when a combined team of uniformed and plainclothes police officers ambushed the demonstrators near Eda Plaza. Witnesses said several people fainted while many others sustained injuries as the air became thick with choking smoke.
Protesters, who had gathered peacefully with placards reading “Free Nnamdi Kanu Now” and “Obey Court Orders”, were reportedly surrounded and dispersed as police fired tear gas in all directions.
Shortly after, another detachment of armed officers stormed the nearby Jabi Building Materials Market, one of Abuja’s busiest commercial hubs, ordering shop owners to shut down immediately. The sudden raid threw the market into chaos as traders and customers were caught in the crossfire.
“The police just came and started shooting tear gas; everyone was confused,” another trader said.
“We had to lock up our shops and run for safety. Even people who had nothing to do with the protest were affected.”
Earlier in the day, heavily armed police officers had fired tear gas canisters in the Maitama area, dispersing passersby and commuters long before protesters arrived at the planned convergence point. Witnesses said the police acted without any provocation or warning.
“There were no protesters yet, just regular people going about their business, when suddenly tear gas started flying everywhere,” an eyewitness told SaharaReporters.
“Even roadside vendors and taxi drivers were running. The whole area was in chaos.”
Security forces, including soldiers and operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), have since taken over major parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), sealing off the Three Arms Zone, Eagle Square, Federal Secretariat, Unity Fountain, and roads leading to the Presidential Villa.
The heavy-handed crackdown came less than 24 hours after the Nigeria Police Force warned organisers of the planned protest to stay away from “restricted areas” and avoid any breach of public peace.
Despite the threats, organisers led by Sowore and several civil rights groups vowed to proceed, accusing President Bola Tinubu’s administration of contempt for multiple court orders directing the release of Nnamdi Kanu.
“They are afraid of the people,” one protester said. “The courts have freed Nnamdi Kanu, but the government keeps disobeying its own laws. We will not stop until justice is done.”
