A peaceful protest in Abuja turned chaotic on Friday after armed police officers fired teargas at demonstrators marching toward Eagle Square.The protesters had assembled at Berger Bus Stop and were heading to the Federal Secretariat to demand action on worsening insecurity, the release of abducted schoolchildren, and what they described as poor governance.Tension escalated as the crowd approached Eagle Square, where heavily armed security operatives had been deployed. Witnesses said teargas canisters were fired into the crowd, forcing protesters, journalists, and passersby to scramble for safety.Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore, one of the leaders of the demonstration, was among those affected. He was reportedly hit by teargas at close range and struggled to breathe after inhaling the fumes.People around him pulled him away from the area and tried to help him recover. Confusion deepened when another round of teargas was reportedly fired while he was still receiving aid, sending protesters running in different directions.The incident sparked panic, with commuters abandoning their routes as teargas clouds spread across nearby roads.Despite the disruption, protesters regrouped and continued their march. They insisted the demonstration was peaceful and said they would not be intimidated by security agencies.Speaking to journalists after the incident, Sowore said Nigerians must be freed from what he called the oppression and hardship confronting the country. He argued that citizens have a constitutional right to demand accountability from their leaders.The protest comes amid growing public concern over insecurity and the rising number of kidnapping cases across the country. Demonstrators also called for urgent government action to secure the release of abducted pupils and improve Nigeria’s security architecture.