Police operatives on Monday fired multiple rounds of tear gas at Eda Plaza, a major building materials hub in Abuja, forcing hundreds of traders and customers to flee in panic.
The incident occurred along Jabi Road near the Habitat area, where officers reportedly moved to disperse crowds believed to be part of a peaceful protest demanding the release of detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
Witnesses told SaharaReporters that tear gas was fired indiscriminately into the plaza, leaving several people unconscious and many others injured as they scrambled for safety.
“The police just started shooting tear gas everywhere. Even people who were not protesting were affected,” said Emeka, a trader at the plaza.
Shops in the area were forced to shut down as the smoke spread through adjoining streets, while security vehicles blocked access roads around the market.
The protest, led by Omoyele Sowore and other pro-democracy activists, was reportedly ambushed by uniformed and plainclothes officers near the plaza.
Earlier, police had also dispersed commuters in Maitama with tear gas before the demonstrators’ arrival, witnesses said.
Security forces have since taken over key areas of the Federal Capital Territory, including the Three Arms Zone, Eagle Square, and Unity Fountain.
The crackdown followed police warnings against protests near “restricted areas.”
Organisers, however, vowed to continue, accusing President Bola Tinubu’s administration of defying court orders for Kanu’s release.
“They are afraid of the people,” one protester said. “We will not stop until justice is done.”
