Officers of the Nigeria Police Force fired tear gas canisters to disperse a group of demonstrators gathered at the main entrance of the National Assembly complex in Abuja.
The protesters, who have been advocating for electoral transparency ahead of future elections, were calling for the mandatory real-time electronic transmission of election results in the ongoing amendments to the Electoral Act.
The demonstration, part of the broader #OccupyNASS movement that resumed after a brief pause, saw participants including civil society activists, youth groups, and notable figures such as activist Omoyele Sowore express strong opposition to the Senate's recent approval of provisions allowing both electronic transmission and manual collation of results.
Protesters argue that this hybrid approach undermines the integrity of elections and opens the door to manipulation, insisting on compulsory, real-time transmission to ensure votes count accurately.
Eyewitness accounts and video footage show chaos erupting as tear gas was deployed, with demonstrators including women and at least one report of a seven-month-old infant affected scrambling for safety amid the fumes.
Several individuals reportedly collapsed or experienced severe respiratory distress from exposure to the irritant. Protesters described the police action as excessive force against a peaceful assembly, with some alleging direct targeting of the crowd.
"This is an assault on democratic expression and a declaration of war against the Nigerian people who simply want their votes to matter," said one protester on the ground. Activists have condemned the use of what they described as unusually potent tear gas canisters that cause intense skin and respiratory irritation.
The Nigeria Police Force has not yet issued an official statement on the incident, including the reasons for the dispersal or any reported injuries or arrests. Security personnel maintained a heavy presence around the complex throughout the day.
Pro-democracy groups and civil society organizations have called on the National Assembly leadership to revisit the contentious clauses in the Electoral Act Amendment Bill, 2026, and engage meaningfully with citizens' demands for credible, technology-driven elections. They urged security agencies to respect the right to peaceful protest as guaranteed under the Nigerian Constitution.
The incident has drawn widespread condemnation online and in media reports, with many Nigerians viewing it as further evidence of resistance to genuine electoral reform. Demonstrators have vowed to continue their push for transparency, stating that "our votes must count" and pledging sustained peaceful advocacy.