Nigerian police fired tear gas on Monday to disperse protesters gathered in Abuja demanding the release of separatist leader Nnamdi Kanu, who remains in custody on terrorism charges.
The demonstration, led by activist and Sahara Reporters publisher Omoyele Sowore, called for Kanu’s immediate release and an end to what organisers described as “politically motivated persecution.”
Kanu, who leads the banned Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) movement, has been held since 2021 and faces multiple terrorism-related counts — charges he denies.
Eyewitnesses told local media that officers fired several rounds of tear gas at demonstrators who began assembling as early as 7:00 am local time.
“The air was thick with gas within minutes,” one witness said. “People were shouting and scattering in all directions.”
Police also reportedly blocked several major routes in the capital, leading to severe traffic congestion and confusion across key parts of the city centre.
Sowore posted on X (formerly Twitter) that security operatives arrested several individuals, including members of Kanu’s family and his legal team.
Neither the Nigerian Police Force nor the Ministry of Justice had issued an official statement on the reported arrests by Monday evening.
Nnamdi Kanu, a dual Nigerian-British citizen, has long been a divisive figure. His group, IPOB, campaigns for the independence of southeastern Nigeria, where many still identify with the former Republic of Biafra that fought a brutal civil war from 1967 to 1970.
Despite repeated bans and arrests, Kanu remains a popular figure among his supporters, who see him as a symbol of regional marginalisation and self-determination.
Kanu was first detained in 2015 on similar charges but fled the country in 2017 after a military raid on his home. His bail was revoked two years later, and he was re-arrested in 2021 in an operation his lawyers claim involved his unlawful rendition from Kenya.
Kenyan officials have never confirmed or denied involvement in the case.
In 2022, Nigeria’s Court of Appeal dismissed the terrorism charges against Kanu, ruling that his extradition breached international law. However, the Supreme Court overturned that decision the following year, reinstating the charges.
The latest round of hearings resumes on Thursday, after a judge ruled that Kanu “has a case to answer.” His legal team is expected to begin his defence then.
The ongoing case has heightened tensions in Nigeria’s southeast, where clashes between security forces and suspected IPOB members have become increasingly violent in recent years.
The group’s armed wing, known as the Eastern Security Network (ESN), has been accused by authorities of carrying out killings and attacks on government facilities — allegations IPOB denies.
Human rights organisations have repeatedly urged the government to ensure a fair and transparent trial for Kanu, warning that his prolonged detention risks fuelling further unrest.
Speaking outside the court last month, one of Kanu’s lawyers described his continued detention as “a stain on Nigeria’s justice system.”
“The government cannot preach the rule of law while flouting court orders and keeping a political prisoner behind bars,” he said.
Observers say Monday’s protest underscores the growing frustration among pro-Biafra supporters and rights campaigners over the slow pace of justice and ongoing repression of dissent.
As the standoff continues, pressure is mounting on the Nigerian authorities to either prosecute the case swiftly or release Kanu in compliance with earlier court rulings.
M10News Africa Desk | Contact: africa@m10news.com
© 2025 M10News. All rights reserved. Unauthorised reproduction is prohibited
