By Richard Benjamin
ABUJA, on the 12th of June 2026 a Democracy Day protest in Abuja turned chaotic on Thursday after police officers fired tear gas to disperse demonstrators protesting economic hardship and insecurity, leaving activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore briefly unconscious.
The protest, organised by a coalition of civil society groups and activists, took place around the Unity Fountain and Eagle Square areas of the Federal Capital Territory as Nigerians marked Democracy Day.
Witnesses said protesters had gathered peacefully to demand improved governance, economic relief and stronger security measures when security operatives moved in and deployed tear gas canisters to break up the crowd.
Videos circulating on social media showed demonstrators running for safety as thick clouds of tear gas spread across the protest ground. Some protesters were seen struggling to breathe while others sought shelter from the fumes.
Sowore, who was among the leading figures at the protest, reportedly collapsed after inhaling large amounts of tear gas. Fellow demonstrators immediately rushed to assist him and moved him away from the scene for medical attention.
Speaking later, Sowore denied reports that he had been shot, saying he was affected by what he described as a powerful gas released at close range by security operatives. He said he received treatment and subsequently recovered.
The protest formed part of nationwide demonstrations organised by civil society groups to draw attention to rising living costs, inflation, insecurity and other socio economic challenges facing Nigerians.
Human rights organisation Amnesty International condemned the use of tear gas against the protesters, describing the action as an attack on citizens exercising their constitutional right to peaceful assembly.
As of the time of filing this report, the Nigeria Police Force had not issued an official statement explaining the circumstances surrounding the dispersal of the protesters or the use of tear gas.
There were no immediate reports of fatalities, although several protesters were said to have experienced breathing difficulties during the incident.
The development occurred as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu delivered a Democracy Day address reflecting on Nigeria’s democratic journey and calling for national unity.
The incident is expected to reignite debate over the relationship between security agencies and civil society groups, particularly regarding the management of public demonstrations and the protection of fundamental rights.
Further details are expected as authorities and organisers provide additional information on the incident.
