Protest Over Nnamdi Kanu’s Detention Grounds Abuja

A protest demanding the release of detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu, on Monday brought business and vehicular movement around Abuja’s Central Area to a standstill as police fired tear gas and blocked major roads leading to the Federal High Court and the Three Arms Zone.
Police patrol teams were stationed across the district from early morning, diverting traffic and halting vehicles. By 8:00 a.m., key routes around the Central Business District were deserted, with access to the Federal High Court on Shehu Shagari Way completely sealed off. NATIONAL ECONOMY reporters observed that as of 9:30 a.m., only a few security guards were present at the court premises, while litigants and court staff were absent.
Commuters were stranded as commercial tricycles and taxis were barred from entering major routes linking the central area to workplaces and adjoining districts.
Earlier, NATIONAL ECONOMY reported that police had fired tear gas at protesters around Transcorp Hilton Hotel in nearby Maitama District, where the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow demonstrations, led by human rights activist and Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, had gathered. A video clip circulating online showed Sowore and other protesters fleeing the scene amid bursts of gunfire and clouds of tear gas.
The #FreeNnamdiKanuNow campaign, spearheaded by Sowore, demands the unconditional release of Kanu, who has been held by the State Security Service (SSS) since June 2021. Kanu faces terrorism-related charges linked to his campaign for an independent Biafra state, an agitation the government blames for a wave of violence and killings in parts of Nigeria’s South-East region.
The protest followed a Federal High Court ruling on Friday that permitted peaceful demonstrations but barred protesters from approaching sensitive government sites, including Aso Rock Villa, the National Assembly, Force Headquarters, Court of Appeal, Eagle Square, and Shehu Shagari Way.
Justice M.G. Umar issued the order after an ex parte motion was filed by the Nigerian government through the Nigeria Police Force. The suit, which listed the Federal Republic of Nigeria as the applicant, named Sowore, Sahara Reporters Ltd, Sahara Reporters Media Foundation, Take It Back Movement (TIB), and “Unknown Persons” as respondents.
The judge granted the interim order restricting access to the listed zones but affirmed that “the right to peaceful assembly remains protected as long as demonstrators stay away from prohibited areas.” The court also directed that the respondents be served immediately and appear for hearing on Monday to respond to the government’s motion.
On Sunday, the Nigeria Police Force issued a nationwide security alert warning against violations of the court order. In a statement, police spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin said,
“The Nigeria Police Force reaffirms its commitment to upholding the rule of law and maintaining public peace in accordance with constitutional provisions. All groups, whether in support of or opposed to the ongoing agitation for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, are expected to comply strictly with the provisions of the court order.”
The statement warned that individuals or groups who attempt to use the protest to “incite violence, carry weapons, vandalise property or engage in other unlawful acts” would face arrest and prosecution. It added that the police would rely on digital evidence to investigate and prosecute offenders.
Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun directed the FCT Commissioner of Police and other state commands to “ensure strict enforcement of the court order, maintain strategic deployments, and protect lives and property.”
Reacting to the police statement on Saturday, Sowore maintained that the protest would go ahead, describing it as “sacrosanct.”
“I’m glad to see that the Nigeria Police Force have finally shown some respect for the constitutional right to freedom of assembly and protest,” he wrote on Facebook. He, however, accused the police of “double standards” in their handling of demonstrations for and against Kanu.
Despite the heavy police presence and the use of force, activists vowed to continue their campaign until Kanu is released.
Kanu, who was first arrested in 2015 and re-arrested in 2021 after fleeing the country, has repeatedly denied all charges against him. His legal team is expected to begin his defence later this week after the court rejected their argument that he had no case to answer.