BREAKING: Security Operatives Fire at #FreeNnamdiKanuNow Protesters in Abuja

• Security operatives in Abuja have fired tear gas and live rounds to disperse #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protesters led by activist Omoyele Sowore.

A joint detachment of Nigerian security operatives on Monday fired tear gas and live rounds to disperse protesters demanding the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

The demonstration, organized under the hashtag #FreeNnamdiKanuNow, was led by human rights activist Omoyele Sowore alongside Barr. Aloy Ejimakor, counsel to Kanu. The protesters gathered around the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) headquarters in the Maitama area of Abuja, chanting slogans such as “Free Nnamdi Kanu Now” and “It’s our constitutional right to protest.”

Eyewitnesses said that moments after protesters warned police officers against using tear gas, gunshots rang out, forcing the crowd to flee in panic.

Security operatives had earlier cordoned off key routes leading to Aso Rock, Unity Fountain, and Eagle Square, blocking access to the Federal Secretariat and the Three Arms Zone.

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Our correspondent observed that both motorists and pedestrians were denied entry into Unity Fountain — the designated take-off point for the protest — as heavily armed personnel patrolled the area.

A separate crowd near the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) secretariat in Utako, which was reportedly not part of the demonstration, was also dispersed after tear gas was fired into the air.