…as protest grounds business activities in Abuja’s Central Business District
As the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protests escalates in Abuja, BusinessDay Media crew of Tony Ailemen, Tunde Adeniyi, Ladi Patrick- Okwoli and Michael Godwin, narrowly escaped death on Monday, as Police fired teargas at their vehicle parsing the back windscreen.
The teargas was fired directly at the back of car, as the reporter moved around the city center, monitoring the protest.
The protest escalated as another group that claimed to be pro federation government also emerged, late on Monday.
But for the help of the passengers waiting for vehicles at the Ministry of Finance bus stop, Abuja, the reporter would have chocked to death inside the car.
The incident occured at about 1pm at the bus stop, as the BDTV Journalists crew were doing a voice pop on the Abuja protest.
The Policemen who were moving around the city center, first fired a teargas at an elderly woman, selling Okpa, a traditional Igbo cake, by the bus stop, before going after the BusinessDay crew.
As soon as the teargas was fired at the woman, people rushed to help her but this was followed by more teargas, forcing people to hurriedly run to safety, abandoning the elderly woman to her fate.
The policemen then went after the BusinessDay crew and fired the teargas into the back of the car which also injured the photojournalist, Adeniyi.
It took the courageous efforts of the commuters at the bus stop to help revive and rescue the BusinessDay crew and their car.
Before the incident, it was observed that commercial and government activities were disrupted in Abuja’s Central Business District (CBD) as protesters demanding the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), went round the city chanting “free Nnamdi Kanu now!”
The protest, under the banner #FreeNnamdiKanuNow, led to restriction of movement and the use of teargas by security agencies to disperse them
The protesters had earlier gathered at the unity fountain, Abuja from where they matched through the city, moving around government locations, including the Federal Secretariat, the National Assembly junction, and Eagle Square.
The situation escalated quickly, prompting the deployment of armed security personnel who used teargas to clear the area.
BusinessDay journalists covering the protest were among those affected.
Eyewitnesses reported that police fired teargas at a vehicle carrying 2 correspondent, videographer, and cameraman.
The vehicle’s windscreen was damaged in the incident.
“We identified ourselves as press, but the police still fired in our direction,” one journalist said. “They launched teargas at our car, and we had to flee.”
Activities at the Federal Secretariat which houses ministries such as Education, Health, and Interior — were suspended as civil servants were unable to access their offices due to roadblocks and police presence.
“I was just arriving at work when everything turned chaotic,” a Ministry of Finance employee said. “People were coughing and running, the air was filled with teargas. I had to take cover in a nearby shop.”
Traders, food vendors, and transport operators near the Secretariat, Eagle Square, Federal High Court, and Ministry of Justice were forced to vacate the area.
Commuters were stranded as roads were blocked and traffic built up across the CBD.
Police set up checkpoints at key junctions, including Gana Street, Shehu Shagari Way, and NITEL Junction in Wuse 2. Water cannon trucks were positioned near the National Assembly and the road leading to the Presidential Villa in Asokoro.
In some areas, pedestrians were turned back, and gatherings were dispersed with teargas.
The protest coincided with a scheduled hearing at the Federal High Court involving the police and Omoyele Sowore, a political activist and former presidential candidate.
The police had filed an ex-parte motion to stop Sowore and others from protesting in restricted areas.
By 9:30 a.m., all 13 courtrooms at the Federal High Court were locked. A few staff, lawyers, and security personnel were present, but no judges were seen and proceedings were suspended.
Justice Mohammed Umar had on Friday granted an interim order barring Sowore and other respondents including Sahara Reporters Ltd., Sahara Reporters Media Foundation, the Take It Back Movement, and unnamed individuals from holding protests near locations such as the Presidential Villa, National Assembly, Force Headquarters, Eagle Square, and Shehu Shagari Way.
The suit, filed under FHC/ABJ/CS/2202/2025, required the respondents to file responses by 9:00 a.m. Monday, the same day the motion on notice was scheduled to be heard.
In an affidavit supporting the motion, Bassey Ibithan, a police officer with the Directorate of Legal Services, argued that the protest posed a threat to national security.
Sowore had announced plans for a peaceful protest in support of Nnamdi Kanu, who has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since 2021 despite several court rulings ordering his release.
The #FreeNnamdiKanuNow campaign has gained traction in recent weeks, with activists and rights groups renewing calls for a political resolution to Kanu’s case.
As of press time, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command had not released an official statement on arrests or injuries. Eyewitnesses, however, reported at least three people were detained during the protest.
The incident has again raised concerns about the government’s stance on civil liberties, press freedom, and the right to peaceful assembly.
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