The Nigeria Police Force has said it dispersed protesters attempting to approach the Aso Villa in Abuja on Monday.

This was after condemnation was issued against the police for firing teargas and live bullets at protesters seeking the release of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

According Force spokesperson CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, the police took the action because the protesters defied a court order restricting them.

He shared on X, "Police teargas protesters attempting to approach Aso Villa in clear contravention of a court order restricting protesters from the Villa, National Assembly, Force Headquarters, Court of Appeal, Eagle Square and Shehu Shagari Way. We are the country’s foremost law enforcement agency. We carried out our mandate.

"And we did NOT block the road but cleared it after it was blocked by the protesters. This is to enable other Nigerians easy passage to their respective destinations."

ASA