It was a tense morning in Abuja as the call to free Nnamdi Kanu returned to the streets. By noon, tear gas filled the air. Protesters ran for cover, and eight people — including human rights lawyer Aloy Ejimakor and Fineboy Kanu, a relative of the detained IPOB leader — were arrested by police.
The protest, tagged #FreeNnamdiKanuNow, began peacefully near the Transcorp Hilton but quickly turned confrontational as security forces moved in.
According to the Nigeria Police, officers fired teargas to disperse demonstrators who attempted to march toward restricted areas under a subsisting court order.
Police spokesman Benjamin Hundeyin confirmed the arrests and insisted that no live bullets were used.
“It’s very easy for people unfamiliar with the sounds to mistake the firing of tear gas for live ammunition,” he said, adding that those arrested would soon be arraigned in court.
Hundeyin noted that the restrictions were based on intelligence reports suggesting possible violence, recalling that “a similar protest years back led to anarchy and the burning of ambulances.”
Heavy Security Locks Down the Capital
From the early hours, Abuja was under tight security. Armoured trucks and patrol vans blocked key roads around the Central Business District, the Presidential Villa, and the National Assembly complex. Soldiers and DSS operatives conducted stop-and-search checks as motorists struggled to move.
Access to the Three Arms Zone was severely restricted. Staff of government offices were delayed for hours. Even those with valid passes to the Villa were redirected to alternative parking lots.
Civil servants commuting from Nyanya, Karu, and Mararaba were trapped in gridlock for hours as checkpoints stretched across Karu Bridge and the Keffi–Abuja Expressway.
Similar scenes were reported along Airport Road and Bwari routes, where traffic diversions paralysed movement.
One internal memo circulated among workers read: “If you are coming from Airport Road to Central Area, follow Area 1. Security blocked from National Mosque.”
The Protest and Its Message
By 7 a.m., placards had filled the air with messages reading “Free Nnamdi Kanu Now” and “Justice for the Southeast.”
The protesters, led by activist Omoyele Sowore, sang solidarity songs and demanded the immediate release of Kanu, who has been detained by the DSS since June 2021 on treason charges.
Eyewitnesses said that as the march neared Maitama District, police fired teargas to scatter the crowd. Sowore was seen using a handkerchief to cover his face while running for safety.
Ejimakor and Fineboy Kanu were among those arrested and taken to the FCT Command Criminal Investigation Department in Garki.
“They are currently at the State CID,” Hundeyin confirmed. “Once we conclude investigations, they will be prosecuted.”
Sowore later condemned the arrests on X, describing them as “illegal detentions.” He warned that “if they are not released immediately, we will mobilize the entire crew now on the streets to occupy the FCT command.”
Ejimakor also posted from detention, accusing police of assaulting peaceful protesters.
Protests Spread Beyond Abuja
In Lagos, police had already moved to prevent gatherings at major rally points like Lekki Toll Gate, Ojota, and Gani Fawehinmi Park. At Iyana Ipaja, small groups attempting to converge were dispersed.
Lagos Commissioner of Police Olohundare Jimoh said the deployment was a proactive step. “We want residents to know that they are safe and can go about their lawful businesses without fear,” he stated.
The wave of arrests and heavy clampdown has again raised questions about freedom of assembly and the fate of Nnamdi Kanu, who remains in detention despite repeated court rulings on his case. How long can the government hold back the growing calls for his release?
Rate, Like 👍, Comment 💬, Share this article, Follow us on our social media handles, and Submit your own story to get featured and earn rewards!
WhatsApp Channel
Telegram Channel
