Calm restored to Abuja after protests demanding release of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu

Calm was restored to Abuja and Lagos on Monday after security personnel dispersed demonstrations calling for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Protesters, led by activist Omoyele Sowore, gathered in key government districts carrying placards with slogans like “Free Nnamdi Kanu Now” and “Obey Court Orders.” Their primary demand was for the Federal Government to adhere to a 2022 Court of Appeal judgment that discharged and acquitted Kanu, who has been in detention since 2021 on terrorism charges.

A heavy security presence was deployed across strategic locations, including the Federal Secretariat and Eagle Square in Abuja, following a court order that banned protests around the Presidential Villa. In several incidents, police used tear gas to break up the demonstrations.

In the capital,the protest turned chaotic near the Transcorp Hilton in Maitama, where security operatives fired tear gas canisters, causing temporary confusion as traders and commuters fled. The protesters later regrouped in the Utako area.

A major building material plaza in Jabi was forced to shut down after police repeatedly fired tear gas into the market as protesters sought shelter there. Traders reported that the police actions were unprovoked and disrupted business for the entire day.

A similar scenario unfolded in Lagos,where a court had also restricted the protests. At the Iyana Ipaja roundabout, security forces fired tear gas into a crowd of protesters and street traders. The convener of the Lagos protest, Declan Ihekiare, was arrested after addressing the gathering. Ihekiare had earlier been summoned by the Lagos Police Commissioner but insisted on proceeding with the demonstration.

In Akure,the Ondo State capital, commercial activities were significantly reduced as many shops owned by Igbo traders were closed in solidarity with the call for Kanu’s release. Major commercial centers were affected, though a heightened police patrol was visible to prevent any breakdown of law and order.

Nnamdi Kanu is currently on trial before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja on charges of terrorism and treasonable felony,related to his calls for the secession of a sovereign Biafra state. He was first arrested in 2015, granted bail in 2017, and then fled the country after a military operation on his home. He was rearrested in Kenya in 2021 and returned to Nigeria to face trial.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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