Several people were injured in an altercation between police and demonstrators in Abuja on Friday who were supporting the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria movement. The demonstrators, who had disobeyed police orders not to hold a procession, were subjected to a harsh crackdown as law officials dispersed the throng with tear gas and live ammunition.
The clash occurred after the protesters had advanced past the National Hospital area, where police had set up an ambush. Witnesses reported that the situation rapidly deteriorated when officers began deploying tear gas and firing live rounds into the gathering. The aggressive response from the police led many protesters to flee into nearby bushlands to escape the violence.
Several injured protesters spoke to journalists about their experiences, expressing their outrage and fear. They recounted how they were forced to seek cover in the bush as police continued to fire live ammunition indiscriminately. “We were peaceful and had no intention of clashing with the police,” one injured protester said. “When the shooting started, we had no choice but to run for our lives. This is not how a government should respond to its citizens expressing their concerns.”
The incident has sparked condemnation from various quarters, with critics accusing the police of excessive force and a lack of respect for the right to peaceful assembly. The use of live ammunition, in particular, has raised serious questions about the appropriateness of the police response and the broader implications for public safety.
