Police arrest eight during FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest in Abuja

Police arrest eight during FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest in Abuja

Abuja, Nigeria — The Nigeria Police Force has confirmed the arrest of eight individuals, including human rights lawyer Aloy Ejimakor and Fineboy Kanu, a relative of detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu, during a protest held Monday in the Federal Capital Territory demanding Kanu’s release.

The demonstration, organized under the banner of #FreeNnamdiKanuNow and led by activist Omoyele Sowore, triggered a sweeping security lockdown across key areas of Abuja, including the Presidential Villa and Central Business District. The protest began around 7 a.m. near Transcorp Hilton Hotel and was later dispersed by police using teargas as demonstrators approached restricted zones.

Police spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin stated that the arrests were made in accordance with a valid court order restricting access to sensitive government areas. He denied reports that officers fired live ammunition, clarifying that only teargas was deployed to prevent escalation. “No live ammunition was fired. It’s very easy for people unfamiliar with the sounds to mistake the firing of tear gas for live ammunition,” Hundeyin said.

The arrested individuals are currently being held at the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Garki and will be charged to court following the conclusion of investigations.

Hundeyin explained that the police acted on intelligence suggesting the protest could turn violent, citing past incidents of unrest. “We cannot allow a repeat of what happened years ago when ambulances were burnt and chaos reigned,” he said.

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The protest caused widespread disruption across the city. Security operatives sealed off major entry points into the Central Business District, including the Keffi-Abuja Expressway at Karu Bridge, leading to long queues and delays for commuters. Access to the Three Arms Zone—housing the Presidential Villa, National Assembly, and Supreme Court—was heavily restricted, with stop-and-search operations in place.

Civil servants and traders commuting from Nyanya, Karu, Mararaba, and Masaka were among those most affected by the gridlock. Similar scenes were reported along the Dutse-Bwari and Airport Road corridors, where motorists were diverted at the National Mosque.

Despite the dispersal, protesters regrouped briefly at Berger Junction and Utako, chanting solidarity songs and carrying placards with messages such as “Free Nnamdi Kanu Now.” Sowore later condemned the arrests on social media, describing them as illegal and threatening further mobilization if the detainees were not released.

Ejimakor also took to social media, alleging that police assaulted demonstrators and detained them without cause.

In Lagos, police deployed officers to strategic locations including Lekki Toll Gate, Ojota, Maryland, and Gani Fawehinmi Park to prevent similar protests. At Iyana Ipaja, a small group of protesters was dispersed near the roundabout.

Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, said the deployment was part of a “Show of Force” to reassure residents of their safety. “We want residents to know that they are safe and can go about their lawful businesses without fear,” he said.

Nnamdi Kanu has remained in detention since his extradition from Kenya in June 2021 and is currently facing treason charges in Abuja.

Police arrest eight during FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest in Abuja