Tear Gas for Truth? Nigerian Police Clash with Peaceful Protesters in Abuja Over Rising Authoritarianism

In a display that has sparked outrage, operatives of the Nigeria Police Force on Monday unleashed tear gas on peaceful protesters in Abuja’s Maitama area, disrupting a nationwide demonstration aimed at calling out the government’s growing authoritarian grip.

The protesters—mobilized by the Take-It-Back Movement and allied civil society groups—were demanding accountability on critical national issues, including the alleged weaponization of the Cybercrime Act, deepening economic hardship, and the federal government’s handling of the political crisis in Rivers State.

Despite holding placards that read “Stop the Repression” and “Let Us Breathe,” protesters were met with force rather than dialogue. Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, who was on the ground in solidarity, witnessed the abrupt crackdown.

The action comes days after police issued warnings against the April 7 protest, drawing criticism from activists who say the state is increasingly criminalizing dissent and suffocating free expression.

No casualties or arrests were reported, but the aggressive dispersal has raised fresh concerns about the shrinking civic space under the current administration.