“Breaking: Tear Gas Fired as Protesters Clash with Police on the Way to Eagle Square Abuja”

Babatunji Wusu –

On Thursday, the police in Abuja used tear gas to block #EndBadGovernance protesters from entering Eagles Square. The protesters, who had gathered in large numbers, ignored a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) order restricting their demonstration to MKO Abiola Stadium.

This restriction came after Justice Sylvanus Oriji issued a ruling on Wednesday, following an ex-parte application by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike. Despite this, the protesters remained determined to reach Eagles Square, their originally planned venue.

As the crowd neared Eagles Square, police officers deployed tear gas, creating a dense cloud of smoke that halted their advance. The situation quickly escalated into chaos, with protesters scrambling to escape the gas and struggling to breathe.

“It’s our right to protest peacefully, and what the police are doing is wrong,” one protester told Channels TV, voicing frustration and defiance. “We demand that the government listens to our cries and takes immediate action to address the issues we are raising.”

The protesters are rallying under the banner ’10 days of rage’ and the hashtag #EndBadGovernance, calling for major reforms and urgent relief measures in response to economic hardships and soaring inflation.

Despite the heavy police presence and the use of tear gas, the protesters remain steadfast. “We are not here to cause trouble; we just want our voices to be heard,” said another demonstrator. “The government must meet our demands or face ongoing protests.”