Police fired tear gas Friday at protesters in Abuja, causing pandemonium at Unity Fountain on Democracy Day. Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore collapsed during the confrontation.
The protest was organized by human rights groups against the government’s handling of insecurity, economic hardship and what they described as poor governance.
Sowore, a former presidential candidate, was taken to a hospital after the incident, witnesses said.
The protest attracted dozens of activists and civil society groups before security personnel deployed tear gas canisters in an apparent attempt to disperse the gathering.
Chaos erupted as protesters scrambled for safety amid clouds of tear gas. Sowore was overcome by the gas and lost consciousness, witnesses said.
Supporters and fellow activists rushed to his aid and evacuated him from the protest ground. He regained consciousness while being transported from the scene, witnesses said.