A BusinessDay media crew of Tony Ailemen, Tunde Adeniyi, Ladi Patrick- Okwoli and Michael Godwin narrowly escaped death on Monday as police fired teargas at their vehicle during the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest in Abuja.

The teargas shattered the windshield of their vehicle. The incident occurred while the journalists were covering the protest around the city centre.

The situation escalated as another group that was reportedly pro-federal government emerged later in the day, heightening tensions in the capital.

Witnesses said the journalists could have suffocated inside the car if not for the quick intervention of commuters waiting at the Ministry of Finance bus stop, where the attack occurred around 1 pm.

The BDTV Journalists crew were conducting a voice pop on the protest when the teargas was fired.

Read also: Group kicks against #FreeNnamdiKanu protest

The policemen, who were moving around the city center, first fired teargas at an elderly woman selling Okpa, a traditional Igbo cake, at the bus stop, before going after the BusinessDay crew.

As soon as the teargas was fired at the woman, people rushed to help her. However, police intensified the attack, forcing everyone at the scene to hurriedly run for safety, abandoning the elderly woman.

The canister shattered the back windscreen, injuring the camera man, Tunde Adeniyi.

It took the swift intervention of commuters at the bus stop to rescue the BusinessDay crew and their car.

Disruption in commercial activities

Before the incident, it was observed that commercial and government activities had already been disrupted in Abuja’s Central Business District (CBD) as protesters demanded the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), chanting, “free Nnamdi Kanu now!”

The protest, under the banner #FreeNnamdiKanuNow, led to restriction of movement and the use of teargas by security agencies to disperse them

The protesters had earlier gathered at the Unity Fountain, Abuja, from where they marched through the city, moving around government locations, including the Federal Secretariat, the National Assembly junction, and the Eagle Square.

The situation quickly escalated, prompting the deployment of heavily armed security personnel throwing teargas canisters at the protesters and passers-by.

“We identified ourselves as press, but the police still fired teargas in our direction,” one of BusinessDay’s journalists said. “They launched teargas at our car, and we had to flee.”

Activities at the Federal Secretariat, which houses ministries of education, health, and interior were suspended as civil servants were unable to access their offices due to roadblocks and police presence.

Read also: #FreeNnamdiKanuNow: Court proceedings halted as police case against protesters stalled

Traders, food vendors, and transport operators near the Secretariat, Eagle Square, Federal High Court, and Ministry of Justice were forced to vacate the area.

Commuters were stranded as roads were blocked and traffic built up across the Central Business District.

Police set up checkpoints at key junctions, including Gana Street, Shehu Shagari Way, and NITEL Junction in Wuse 2. Water cannon trucks were positioned near the National Assembly and the road leading to the Presidential Villa in Asokoro.

In some areas, pedestrians were turned back, and gatherings were dispersed with teargas.

The protest coincided with a scheduled hearing at the Federal High Court involving the police and Omoyele Sowore, a political activist and former presidential candidate.

The police had filed an ex-parte motion to stop Sowore and others from protesting in restricted areas.

As of 9:30 a.m., all 13 courtrooms at the Federal High Court were locked. A few staff, lawyers, and security personnel were present, but no judge was seen and proceedings were suspended.

Justice Mohammed Umar had on Friday granted an interim order barring Sowore and other respondents, including Sahara Reporters Ltd., Sahara Reporters Media Foundation, the Take It Back Movement, and unnamed individuals, from holding protests near locations such as the Presidential Villa, National Assembly, Force Headquarters, Eagle Square, and Shehu Shagari Way.

The suit, filed under FHC/ABJ/CS/2202/2025, required the respondents to file responses by 9:00 a.m. Monday, the same day the motion on notice was scheduled to be heard.

In an affidavit supporting the motion, Bassey Ibithan, a police officer with the Directorate of Legal Services, argued that the protest posed a threat to national security.

Read also: Police refute claims of lockdown, say businesses opened amid #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest

Sowore had announced plans for a peaceful protest in support of Nnamdi Kanu, who has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since 2021 despite several court rulings ordering his release.

The #FreeNnamdiKanuNow campaign has gained traction in recent weeks, with activists and rights groups renewing calls for a political resolution to Kanu’s case.

As of press time, the FCT Police Command had not released an official statement on arrests or injuries. Eyewitnesses, however, reported at least three people were detained during the protest.

The incident has again raised concerns about the government’s stance on civil liberties, press freedom, and the right to peaceful assembly.