#FreeNnamdiKanu Protest Grounds Abuja, Sparks Clashes and Arrests
LAGOS — Economic activities in Abuja were brought to a halt yesterday as protesters led by human rights activist Omoyele Sowore took to the streets to demand the immediate and unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
By as early as 6:00 a.m., security operatives had blocked major access roads into the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), leading to massive traffic gridlock that left many workers and residents stranded.
The protest, initially billed to be peaceful, turned chaotic around Maitama, where police fired tear gas canisters to disperse the crowd. Protesters, including Kanu’s lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, were seen chanting “Free Nnamdi Kanu Now” before police action caused panic and confusion.
The police had earlier warned that protesters should not go near Aso Rock, the National Assembly, or the Three Arms Zone, threatening to “deal decisively” with violators.
Roads Locked, Workers Stranded
The heavy security presence and road closures brought much of Abuja to a standstill. Commuters coming from Bwari, Ushafa, Dutse, and Kubwa were trapped for hours, while motorists along the Nyanya–Mararaba corridor also reported long delays due to checkpoints.
In the Sokale area, one frustrated driver, Usman Jibrin, told reporters:
“I’ve been stuck here for over an hour. Why should people going to the Villa affect us? This is punishment, and God is watching.”
Even Aso Villa was under tight lockdown, with soldiers, police officers, and DSS operatives sealing off access routes to the Three Arms Zone. Staff with valid tags were turned back, and traffic from Karu Bridge to the Central Business District came to a crawl.
Journalists Attacked, Equipment Damaged
The protest also saw journalists assaulted while covering the event. Among them was AFP reporter John Okunyomih, whose camera was destroyed by police. Another reporter, Tony Ailemen of BusinessDay, had his car windshield shattered after an officer fired a tear gas canister directly at his vehicle.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Council condemned the assault in strong terms, calling it “a gross violation of press freedom and an affront to democracy.”
“Journalists are not enemies of the state but partners in nation-building,” the NUJ said, demanding that the damaged equipment be replaced and that the officers involved be sanctioned.
Sowore Reacts, Threatens to Occupy Police Command
Reacting to the arrests of Ejimakor, Kanu’s younger brother Fineboy Kanu, and other protesters, Sowore vowed to take further action.
“The FCT Police Command must release them immediately or we will mobilize and occupy their office,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Lawyer Maxwell Opara also faulted the police for claiming a court order banned the protest, saying the order only restricted demonstrators from certain government areas, not the entire city.
“You negotiate with bandits and terrorists but refuse to release Kanu despite multiple court rulings. This selective obedience to court orders is unacceptable,” Opara said.
Police Defend Tear Gas Use
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, justified the police response, saying officers acted lawfully.
“Protesters attempted to approach Aso Villa in clear violation of a court order restricting protests near sensitive areas,” he stated on X.
“We only cleared blocked roads to allow free movement for other Nigerians.”
Solidarity in Ondo: Igbo Traders Shut Shops
In Akure, Ondo State, several Igbo-owned shops were closed in solidarity with the protest. Businesses along Oyemekun, Oba Adesida, and Arakale Roads remained locked throughout the day.
Trader Timothy Andrew explained:
“We shut our shops to show support for our brother, Nnamdi Kanu. He has suffered enough.”
Security patrols were increased across the city to prevent unrest.
Igbo Women Demand Release of Detainees
The Igbo Women Assembly (IWA) also condemned the arrests, describing them as “impunity taken too far.”
Its president, Lolo Nneka Chimezie, said:
“Peaceful protest is a constitutional right. Even during the Jonathan era, the APC held protests without being attacked. Why is it different now?”
She accused the Tinubu administration of “behaving worse than a military dictatorship” and called for the immediate release of all detained protesters.
Presidency and Amnesty React
Presidential aide Bayo Onanuga criticized Aloy Ejimakor for joining the protest despite representing Kanu in court, calling it “unethical and sub judice.”
He urged the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) to sanction Ejimakor.
Another presidential aide, Sunday Dare, condemned Sowore’s actions, saying:
“You can’t pull these stunts in America or Europe — protesting for a terrorism suspect whose case is still in court.”
Read Also;
Police disperse #ReleaseNnamdiKanuNow protesters after regrouping in Abuja
He stressed that the Tinubu administration would not interfere with judicial processes, insisting that justice must run its course.
Meanwhile, Amnesty International Nigeria condemned the police crackdown, warning that suppressing peaceful protests violates constitutional and international human rights laws.
“People must be allowed to freely exercise their right to peaceful protest,” Amnesty said. “Any act capable of undermining freedom of assembly is illegal and unacceptable.”
The situation remains tense in Abuja, with heavy security patrols still visible in key areas as calls grow louder for the release of Nnamdi Kanu and other arrested protesters.
