Protests Erupt Nationwide Demanding Nnamdi Kanu’s Release, Disrupt Abuja and Southeast Activities
Protests Erupt Nationwide Demanding Nnamdi Kanu’s Release, Disrupt Abuja and Southeast Activities
A nationwide wave of protests demanding the release of detained IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu erupted on Monday, causing significant disruptions across Abuja and several South-East states. The demonstrations, organized by activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore of the #RevolutionNow movement, led to the suspension of business activities and major traffic delays.
Security forces responded with heavy deployment around key government sites, including the Three Arms Zone—home to the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, the National Assembly, and the Supreme Court. In Abuja, security personnel forcibly dispersed protesters attempting to approach the Villa, with access roads around the zone cordoned off. Civil servants were temporarily prevented from entering government buildings, compounding traffic chaos in the city.
At the Villa, armed personnel, armored vehicles, and multiple security agencies took positions to prevent protests from breaching the premises. Yakubu Gowon Crescent and Asokoro Road leading to the Villa were barricaded with Toyota Hilux trucks and armored personnel carriers, with security officials citing orders to block protesters.
By early Monday, soldiers, police, and DSS operatives had sealed off access to the Three Arms Zone, conducting stop-and-search operations and restricting movement around government institutions. Civil servants with official passes were turned away, and motorists faced rerouting, causing hours-long delays for commuters from areas like Nyanya, Karu, Mararaba, and Masaka. Similar blockades were reported along Dutse–Bwari and Airport Road routes.
Security patrols were intensified around key locations such as Eagle Square, the Federal Secretariat, and the National Assembly, where police and armored vehicles stood guard against potential protests.
The protests were part of renewed efforts demanding the government comply with court orders for Kanu’s release. The IPOB leader, arrested in Kenya and extradited to Nigeria in June 2021, remains in detention despite multiple court rulings granting him bail. Supporters have raised concerns over his worsening health, calling for his release for medical attention, while the government insists he faces serious charges related to treason and terrorism.
Sowore, known for his outspoken stance on human rights, said the demonstration aimed to highlight what he called a “blatant disregard for the rule of law.” He mobilized supporters via social media, emphasizing the peaceful nature of the rally and urging police protection rather than intimidation.
Despite these assurances, security agencies expressed fears that the protests could escalate into unrest. Early Monday, protesters gathered at Abuja’s Unity Fountain, chanting and holding placards demanding Kanu’s freedom. Police responded with tear gas to disperse crowds near barricaded zones, leading to tense moments.
According to Benjamin Hundeyin, Force Public Relations Officer, the police acted in accordance with a court order obtained on Friday that restricted protests from converging on sensitive areas like the Aso Villa, Supreme Court, and National Assembly. He stated that officers employed minimal force, using tear gas only after protesters allegedly attempted to breach the restrictions despite repeated warnings. Hundeyin dismissed reports of live ammunition being fired, affirming that only tear gas was used and that protesters were properly warned beforehand.
He emphasized that the court order was publicly available and that organizers had been instructed to appear before the court on Monday as part of the legal process. The police maintained that their actions aimed to safeguard lives and property, citing past incidents of violence during protests.
