Police Disperse #FreeNnamdiKanu Protesters with Tear Gas in Abuja Amid Rising Tensions
By Naija Enquirer Staff
Tension gripped the Federal Capital Territory on Monday as Nigerian police fired tear gas to disperse protesters demanding the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The demonstration, organised by activist and Sahara Reporters publisher Omoyele Sowore, sought to pressure the Federal Government to free Kanu, who has been detained since 2021 on terrorism-related charges — all of which he denies.
Eyewitnesses reported that security operatives fired multiple rounds of tear gas early in the morning to break up crowds gathering around key intersections in Abuja. Major roads were blocked, causing heavy gridlock and confusion across several parts of the city.
“Security agents arrested several protesters, including members of Kanu’s family and legal team,” Sowore wrote on X (formerly Twitter), accusing the police of violating citizens’ rights to peaceful assembly.
The police authorities have yet to issue an official statement on the reported arrests, but officers were seen stationed around sensitive government areas, including the National Assembly, Eagle Square, and Shehu Shagari Way.
Nnamdi Kanu, who also holds British citizenship, has long been a controversial figure. As leader of IPOB — which seeks independence for the south-eastern region under the name Biafra — he commands a loyal following among millions of supporters who see him as a symbol of resistance against perceived marginalisation.
IPOB was designated a terrorist organisation by the Nigerian government in 2017, and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), has been accused of violent attacks in the South-East — allegations the group denies.
Kanu’s legal troubles date back to 2015 when he was first arrested on terrorism and treason charges. He later fled the country after a military raid on his home in 2017. In 2021, he was re-arrested and extradited to Nigeria — a move his lawyers claim was carried out illegally in Kenya.
Although a Court of Appeal ordered his release in 2022, the ruling was overturned by the Supreme Court the following year, paving the way for his ongoing trial.
Kanu’s defence team is expected to return to court on Thursday after judges rejected their “no-case submission.” His supporters, however, continue to insist on his unconditional release, describing his prolonged detention as political persecution.
The #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest has sparked renewed debate about civil liberties, ethnic justice, and the limits of state power in Nigeria. As tensions remain high in Abuja, observers warn that the government’s handling of the situation could once again test Nigeria’s democratic tolerance.
