A popular commercial complex, EDA Plaza, located in the Jabi district of Abuja, was on Monday forcibly closed after police officers fired multiple rounds of tear gas into the premises while dispersing demonstrators demanding the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
The protesters, who had earlier converged in the area as part of the #ReleaseNnamdiKanuNow campaign, fled in different directions when security operatives intervened. In an attempt to escape the choking gas, several demonstrators, traders, and passersby took refuge inside the plaza.
Eyewitnesses and correspondents at the scene reported that police officers fired tear gas canisters directly into the building, causing panic and forcing journalists, traders, and customers to evacuate the premises in haste.
As of the time of filing this report, the plaza remained under lock and key, with police patrol vehicles stationed around the vicinity to restrict access and maintain order.
Earlier, PUNCH Online had reported that similar protests were dispersed at the Utako area of Abuja, where demonstrators regrouped after security forces had earlier broken up gatherings at Maitama, near the Transcorp Hilton and adjoining streets.
The civil rights activists and members of pro-democracy groups behind the demonstration said the protest sought to compel the Federal Government to comply with the 2022 Court of Appeal judgment that discharged and acquitted Nnamdi Kanu of all charges.
The repeated dispersal of protesters at different locations — including Maitama and Utako — caused temporary disruption of commercial activities, vehicular movement, and heightened tension in parts of the Federal Capital Territory.#newsafro_
