Police Disperse #ReleaseNnamdiKanuNow Protesters in Abuja
Police on Monday dispersed protesters calling for the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, in the Utako area of Abuja. The demonstrators had earlier gathered in Maitama but were forced to flee after security operatives fired multiple rounds of tear gas, creating panic among commuters, traders, and motorists in the area.
Undeterred, the protesters regrouped at Utako, where they continued their demonstration, chanting solidarity songs and carrying banners demanding the release of Kanu. Security forces, including police officers and operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), intervened again, dispersing the crowd and preventing the protest from escalating.
The demonstration was part of the ongoing #ReleaseNnamdiKanuNow campaign, organized by civil rights activists and pro-democracy groups. The campaign seeks to pressure the Federal Government to comply with a 2022 Court of Appeal judgment that discharged and acquitted Kanu, who has remained in detention despite the ruling.
Security across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has been significantly heightened in response to the protests. Soldiers, police, and DSS operatives have been deployed to strategic locations, including Eagle Square, the Federal Secretariat, and the Three Arms Zone, to maintain order and prevent any further escalation of unrest.
At the Berger roundabout, a large contingent of soldiers, accompanied by a gun truck, was stationed to enforce security and monitor traffic. Residents and commuters in the city expressed concerns over the disruption caused by the clashes, which led to temporary road closures and panic in commercial areas.
The police have repeatedly urged citizens to avoid participating in unlawful assemblies, warning that violent or disruptive protests would be met with decisive action. Authorities emphasized their commitment to maintaining peace in the FCT while ensuring that lawful expressions of opinion are respected.