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Jide Oyekunle
Anti riot Policemen have again fired teargas canisters at protesters demanding the release of the detained Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu for the second time in Abuja.
The protesters, who had earlier dispersed near unity fountain following police clampdown, regrouped at Arab Junction in the Utako area of Abuja to continue their demonstration. However, they were attacked by a combined gun wielding team of soldiers, police officers, and operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) near the building materials plaza close to Jabi Park.
The security operatives who had been trailing the protesters fired teargas directly at the crowd, causing pandemonium as people scampered for safety. Many of them were seen running into the shops for safety.
The convener of the protest and human rights activist Omoyele Sowore, alongside some lawyers and other protesters, were chased into nearby shops as security agents attempted to arrest them after firing teargas at close range.
The situation caused widespread commotion and chaos as shop owners and passers-by fled the scene, while residents in nearby buildings suffered suffocation from the heavy teargas fumes.
Before the attack, the protesters had marched through the Utako Market area, chanting solidarity songs and vowing to continue their agitation despite intimidation and harassment by security agencies.
As of the time of filing this report, security operatives were still conducting a manhunt for protesters across parts of Utako and Jabi.
