The Nigerian police have fired tear gas to disperse protesters in Abuja demanding the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). The demonstration, led by activist Omoyele Sowore, drew crowds calling for the end of Kanu’s prolonged detention, which has lasted since 2021. Witnesses say several protesters, including members of Kanu’s family and legal team, were arrested as police moved to suppress the gathering.
Kanu, who holds both Nigerian and British citizenship, faces terrorism-related charges despite court rulings that once ordered his release. His supporters view him as a symbol of resistance in southeastern Nigeria, where IPOB has long pushed for independence. The latest protest underscores growing frustration over what activists describe as human rights violations and judicial delays surrounding his case.Protesters gathered early Monday morning in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, demanding the immediate release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). The group’s call for justice quickly turned chaotic as police fired multiple rounds of tear gas to disperse the demonstrators.
Eyewitnesses reported that security forces arrived at the protest site shortly after 07:00 (06:00 GMT) and blocked major access roads around the Federal Secretariat and Unity Fountain areas. The blockade caused severe traffic congestion and confusion across parts of the city.
Prominent activist and Sahara Reporters publisher Omoyele Sowore, who led the rally, posted on X (formerly Twitter) that several people were detained, including Kanu’s relatives and lawyers. The Nigerian police have yet to issue an official statement on the reported arrests or the use of force.
Nnamdi Kanu, a key figure in Nigeria’s separatist movement, has been detained since 2021 on terrorism charges, which he denies. His organisation, IPOB, was declared a terrorist group in 2017, and its armed wing—the Eastern Security Network (ESN)—has been linked to deadly attacks in southeastern states. Supporters argue that IPOB’s actions are driven by a quest for self-determination, not terrorism.
Kanu’s political and legal battles stretch back nearly a decade. First arrested in 2015, he was released on bail in 2017 but fled Nigeria following a military raid on his home. After being re-arrested in 2021 under controversial circumstances—reportedly in Kenya—he was returned to Nigeria, sparking diplomatic outrage and human rights concerns.
In 2022, a Nigerian appeal court dropped the charges against him, ruling that his extradition was unlawful. However, the Supreme Court overturned that decision in 2023, reinstating the terrorism case. His legal team’s recent bid to have the charges dismissed again was rejected, paving the way for his defence to begin later this week.
Despite being banned and branded a terrorist, Kanu remains a cult hero in southeastern Nigeria, where IPOB continues to enjoy mass support. His followers see him as a freedom fighter standing against political marginalisation and state repression. The latest protest in Abuja reflects the enduring tension between Nigeria’s federal authorities and pro-Biafra sympathisers, who continue to demand justice and self-rule.
