“We Couldn’t Breathe”: Police Fire Tear Gas at Sowore and Other Protesters on Democracy Day.

Chaos broke out near Eagle Square in Abuja today, as police officers fired tear gas canisters at a group of protesters including well known activist Omoyele Sowore.

The demonstration was organized by a coalition of civic groups to mark Democracy Day, but the mood quickly turned from defiance to distress. The protesters had gathered to draw attention to growing insecurity, the rising cost of living, and the prolonged kidnapping of schoolchildren across the country.

As the crowd marched from Berger Bus Stop toward Eagle Square, security operatives stationed in the area launched tear gas at close range. Videos from the scene show people running for safety, coughing and covering their faces. In one clip, Sowore is seen being helped by fellow demonstrators, gasping for air, and later collapsing onto the ground.

Sowore later posted on X (formerly Twitter) that police used a “strange gas” that entered his lungs and left him struggling to breathe. He accused the Tinubu administration of using increasingly dangerous tactics to crush dissent.

“The objective is to silence, destroy, and crush all opposition through fear and force,” Sowore wrote. “We shall never succumb.”

Amnesty International quickly condemned the incident, calling it a “reckless attack on peaceful protesters.” The organization said Sowore was later taken to a hospital and accused Nigerian authorities of using violence to suppress basic rights like freedom of assembly and expression.

As of this report, the police have not released any official statement regarding the incident.