Police in Abuja fired tear gas at peaceful protesters near Eagle Square in the Three Arms Zone on Thursday.
The area is home to the Presidential Villa, National Assembly, and Supreme Court.
The protesters, who had been peaceful, were demanding an end to hunger, saying that ulcers have become common among Nigerians.
They questioned why the police would use force against them when they had previously provided security for a pro-government group.
The protesters were first dispersed at about 8 a.m. but regrouped, asking President Bola Tinubu to intervene.
At around 10:30 a.m., while journalists were interviewing protesters, a policeman fired a tear gas canister in their direction.
As many people fled, a young woman with a baby approached the police, demanding that they kill her and her child. Efforts to identify her were not successful as police continued to fire tear gas.
A dramatic moment occurred when the Minister of State for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, arrived to address the protesters.
Despite his attempt to speak, his voice was drowned out by the loud chants of “hunger dey,” making it difficult for him to be heard.
After addressing the crowd and introducing himself as a comrade who had participated in many protests, the protesters calmed down and listened.
“I am not here to fight you. I am not here to ask you not to protest. It is your right. Like I said, I have been to over 100-500 protests,” Olawande said. He also promised to address the police about the tear gas used against the protesters.
However, his request seemed to have little effect as the police continued to fire tear gas.
In Lagos, protesters attempted to light bonfires outside the governor’s office, and police responded with tear gas, forcing many back.
