Supporters of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan were on Tuesday tear-gassed by security operatives at the National Assembly gate, following her return from six-month suspension.
While the senator herself was able to enter the complex, her supporters -a large crowd of constituents made up of women, youths, and community leaders who travelled from Kogi State — were stopped outside.
Tensions quickly escalated when security personnel moved to disperse them, firing tear gas that left several people injured and in need of hospital treatment.
Their expectation had been high after news broke that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s office in the National Assembly had been reinstated. Many had travelled from Kogi, hoping to celebrate what they thought would be her smooth return to work.
Instead, the scene turned tense. “It was supposed to be a historic return for her, but it turned into a nightmare,” a staff member at the Assembly said.
Reacting, the senator condemned the use of force. “These are innocent Nigerians who came in peace; they deserve better,” she told journalists.
Civil society groups and political observers are now calling on Senate leaders to investigate the incident and prevent a repeat.