…Organisers arrested, protesters claim live fire was used
Security operatives in Nigeria’s capital on Monday foiled a planned demonstration calling for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the banned Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), resulting in arrests and accusations of undue force.
The protest, organised under the hashtag #FreeNnamdiKanuNow, was led by human-rights activist and SaharaReporters publisher Omoyele Sowore and was intended to march to the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Security agencies had mounted heavy deployments across major routes in the city and prevented demonstrators from advancing beyond Maitama and the Transcorp Hilton axis.
The demonstration began early at venues such as the Transcorp Hilton and Unity Fountain, but was met by road-blocks and strong presence of the police, the Guards Brigade, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Arrests and allegations of live fire
Mr Sowore accused the police of brutalising protesters and detaining key figures, including Kanu’s younger brother and the lawyer Aloy Ejimakor.
He posted on X (formerly Twitter): “The @PoliceNG team deployed to brutalize #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protesters arrested Nnamdi Kanu’s brother, and his lawyer, @AloyEjimakor, as well as innocent bystanders. They were beaten and taken to the FCT command. The police must release them immediately!”
Meanwhile, security forces are reported to have used both tear-gas and live bullets to disperse the crowd.
A correspondent for Daily Trust noted that as protesters advanced to the Court of Appeal area, “the operatives fired different shots… the protesters had earlier thought the police officers … were going to fire teargas … but they fled when live bullets were being released from different directions.”
Another account on Channels Television quotes Sowore: “Suddenly, from nowhere, they started shooting at us, tear gas, and some live bullets were fired. Luckily, I don’t think anybody was hit with live bullets, but they were just shooting all around us,” he said.
Traffic disruption and restricted zones
The large-scale security deployment and road-blocks caused major traffic gridlock in Abuja’s central business district and major arteries including the Abuja–Keffi highway, Mararaba–Nyanya Expressway and Abuja–Kaduna Expressway.
The police had earlier issued warnings to organisers, citing a Federal High Court order which underlined that protests were prohibited in areas including the Presidential Villa, the National Assembly, Force Headquarters, the Court of Appeal, Eagle Square and Shehu Shagari Way.
The Force spokesman, Benjamin Hundeyin, reminded that while citizens are free to express opinions peacefully, they must avoid restricted areas.
Background of the demonstration
Nnamdi Kanu, who holds British citizenship, has been in custody of the DSS since his re-arrest in June 2021.
He is facing terrorism-related charges at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Supporters argue his detention is unlawful and politically motivated.
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