Residents of Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, on Monday expressed frustration as a massive traffic jam crippled movement across major routes following a protest by supporters of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, SAVANNAH NEWSNOW REPORTS.
The demonstrators, who converged on various parts of the city under the banner of the #FreeNnamdiKanu movement, demanded the immediate release of the separatist leader currently facing trial for alleged treasonable felony.
The protest, which began peacefully, later turned chaotic when security operatives reportedly fired teargas canisters to disperse the crowd. The action led to widespread panic, with commuters and bystanders fleeing for safety.
Many residents complained of inhaling teargas fumes and being trapped in long hours of gridlock along major highways, including the Central Business District, Berger Roundabout, and Airport Road.
A civil servant, identified simply as Chika, said she spent over three hours in traffic. “The whole city was blocked. I couldn’t breathe properly because of the teargas. It was a terrible experience,” she lamented.
Security operatives have since been deployed to restore order, while vehicular movement gradually resumed later in the day.
As of press time, there was no official statement from the Federal Capital Territory Police Command regarding the number of arrests or casualties linked to the protest.
