Real reason we tear-gassed free Nnamdi Kanu protesters — Police

The Nigeria Police Force Headquarters has justified the use of tear gas to disperse protesters in Abuja who were demanding the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

The demonstrations took place in several parts of the Federal Capital Territory, including the Three Arms Zone, Maitama, and Jabi, where protesters gathered to call for Kanu’s release from the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).

According to reports, the demonstrators attempted to march toward the Three Arms Zone, which houses major government institutions such as the Presidential Villa, National Assembly, and Court of Appeal. This prompted police operatives to fire tear gas to disperse the crowd.

The police action drew criticism from Amnesty International Nigeria, which condemned it as an attempt to silence peaceful protesters. In a statement posted on X, Amnesty International said: “Amnesty International receives disturbing reports of attempts to crack down on peaceful protests holding in Abuja, calling for the release of Nnamdi Kanu. People must be allowed to freely exercise their right to peaceful protest. Any act capable of undermining freedom of assembly is illegal and portrays unacceptable intolerance of peaceful dissent.”

The human rights group urged authorities to respect citizens’ rights to peaceful protest as guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution and international human rights treaties, including the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Responding to the criticism, Force Public Relations Officer CSP Benjamin Hundeyin defended the police, saying their action complied with existing legal restrictions on protests in sensitive parts of Abuja.

In a post on X, Hundeyin stated: “Police tear-gassed protesters attempting to approach Aso Villa in clear contravention of a court order restricting protesters from the Villa, National Assembly, Force Headquarters, Court of Appeal, Eagle Square, and Shehu Shagari Way. We are the country’s foremost law enforcement agency. We carried out our mandate. And we did not block the road but cleared it after it was blocked by the protesters to enable other Nigerians easy passage to their respective destinations.”

Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has been in DSS custody since June 2021 and is currently standing trial at the Federal High Court, Abuja, on terrorism-related charges.