The Nigeria Police Force has clarified why officers fired teargas at #FreeNnamdiKanu protesters in Abuja on Monday, stating that the demonstrators violated a standing court order restricting protests in specific areas of the capital.
Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, said in a statement on 𝕏 (formerly Twitter) that police officers only intervened after protesters attempted to move toward restricted zones, including the Aso Rock Villa, National Assembly, Force Headquarters, Court of Appeal, Eagle Square, and Shehu Shagari Way.
Hundeyin dismissed claims that police blocked major roads in Abuja, insisting that officers merely cleared the roads after protesters had obstructed them.
“Police teargassed protesters attempting to approach Aso Villa in clear contravention of a court order restricting protests from the Villa, National Assembly, Force Headquarters, Court of Appeal, Eagle Square, and Shehu Shagari Way,” Hundeyin stated.
“We are the country’s foremost law enforcement agency and acted within our constitutional mandate. We did NOT block the road — we cleared it after protesters blocked it to ensure free movement for other Nigerians.”
Naija News earlier reported that Nnamdi Kanu’s lead counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, accused the police of using teargas to disperse peaceful protesters gathered near Transcorp Hilton. Ejimakor said the officers’ actions caused eye and throat irritation.
The protest’s convener, activist Omoyele Sowore, also alleged that the police fired unprovoked gunshots to disperse the demonstrators.
