Police, DSS on red alert as protesters vow to march for Nnamdi Kanu’s release

Security agencies in Abuja are on high alert, setting up roadblocks and deploying personnel to key government areas ahead of a planned protest on Monday.

The demonstration, led by activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, aims to demand the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

The Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS) have mobilized to prevent protesters from marching on the Presidential Villa (Aso Rock) and other sensitive locations, including the National Assembly Complex and the Force Headquarters.

This security posture is based on a standing court order from October 2025 that prohibits protests in these specific zones.

Sowore, the convener of the #RevolutionNow movement, has declared the protest will proceed as planned. He argues that the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu is illegal, citing a 2022 Court of Appeal ruling that discharged and acquitted the IPOB leader. Sowore accuses the federal government of consistently disobeying court orders and mocking the constitution.

He has publicly called on the police to avoid a heavy-handed response, urging officers to protect the protesters’ right to peaceful assembly and warning that any brutality would have “repercussions.”

In response, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has directed his officers to enforce the court order strictly. While acknowledging the constitutional right to peaceful assembly, the police stated that such rights must be exercised within the limits of the law.

They have warned that any attempts to incite violence, vandalize property, or carry weapons will be met with decisive action, including arrest and prosecution.

Kanu has been in DSS custody since June 2021, facing charges of terrorism and treasonable felony.

Despite several court rulings in his favor, the Federal Government has yet to release him, a situation that continues to fuel public outrage and agitation.

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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