There have been protests in Nigeria's capital Abuja with demonstrators carrying placards reading, #BuhariMustGo.

The demonstrations coincided with the country's independence day anniversary.

Police dispersed the protesters by firing tear gas canisters.

It is unclear if anyone was arrested.

Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore had asked Nigerians to demonstrate across the country on independence day. He shared a video of the Abuja protests:

Breaking: Independence Day Protesters commence #RevolutionNow #BuhariMustGo protest in Abuja pic.twitter.com/iJS4tzD05G

— Omoyele Sowore (@YeleSowore) October 1, 2021

President Muhammadu Buhari in his independence day speech downplayed the enormity of the security challenges in the country and the crashing value of Nigeria’s local currency, the Naira.

Ignoring the kidnapping of more than 1,000 schoolchildren in the north west, President Buhari said that Nigerian security services had made tremendous progress and were winning.

On Twitter although some people are posting celebratory messages, many are criticising the government using the hashtag #NigeriaAt61:

61 years after Independence,

What is left of our National structure as Nigerians?
What is left of our quality of life as citizens?
What is left of our dignity & respect as people of the world? #NigeriaAt61

— Rinu #EndSARS🔥🔫 (@SavvyRinu) October 1, 2021

I remain an eternal optimist. But things are really bad in Nigeria 🇳🇬 at the moment. Ethnic division, police brutality, insecurity, policy summersault in several sectors, and disdain for useful criticisms and ideas. Things need to get better. Happy Independence Day. #NigeriaAt61

— Dr. Dípò Awójídé, FHEA (@OgbeniDipo) October 1, 2021

Independence Day: #NigeriaAt61. Insecurity, Bloodshed, Terrorism, Killer Fulani Herdsmen, Kidnapping, Poverty, Banditary, Police Brutality #EndSARS, Nepotism, Tribalism, Fulanization, Christian Persecution, Oppression? Pls, Name One Thing That Is Worth Celebrating About Nigeria? pic.twitter.com/ApQTlGGbqX

— Somto Okonkwo ♊︎ (@General_Somto) October 1, 2021