Nigeria, Oct. 20 -- Activities grounded to a halt at a major building material plaza in the Jabi area of Abuja on Monday after police fired teargas at protesters and traders.

The plaza, located opposite Chida International Hotel, where construction materials, including electrical systems and interior decoration materials are sold is usually a beehive.

However, the plaza was shut down and all shops closed on Monday after the police fired teargas at the place multiple times, traders told PREMIUM TIMES.

Traders say the chaos ensued after police fired teargas at the protesters as they tried to take cover at the plaza.

The first tear gas was fired around 9:35 a.m., one of the traders, Goodnews Udoumorne, told our reporter.

Another trader ...