Reasons Police Fired Tear Gas at Protesters in Abuja Amid National Police Day Celebrations

The situation was tense as security operatives fired tear gas at peaceful protesters in the Maitama area of Abuja during a nationwide demonstration on Monday

The protesters were requesting urgent government action on economic hardship, alleged repression, and the controversial use of the Cybercrime Act.

The protest, organized by the “Take-It-Back Movement” in collaboration with various civil society groups, coincided with the National Police Day celebrations held at the Eagle Square, Abuja.

In anticipation of the official event, which was attended by top-ranking police officials and government dignitaries, security forces had cordoned off parts of the Three Arms Zone, restricting access around key government buildings.

Undeterred, demonstrators including human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore gathered carrying placards with bold inscriptions like “Stop the Repression” and “Let Us Breathe.”

Addressing reporters at the scene, Juwon Sanyaolu, National Coordinator of the Take-It-Back Movement, said the protest was a response to rising authoritarianism, rising inflation, escalating insecurity, and the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State.

At the time of filing this report, there were no confirmed cases of injury or arrests, although tensions remained high around the protest area.