Police Disperse Sowore and Clerics with Tear Gas at Nnamdi Kanu Protest in Abuja

Chaos erupted in Abuja on Monday as police fired tear gas to disperse protesters calling for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

The demonstration, led by human rights activist Omoyele Sowore, drew clergymen, civil society groups, and supporters demanding Kanu’s freedom.

The protest began near the Transcorp Hilton area, where participants gathered to sing solidarity songs and carry banners before heavily armed police officers moved in. Tear gas canisters were fired into the crowd, scattering protesters and onlookers.

Many passersby and traders in the Maitama and Central Area districts fled as smoke filled the air.

Security presence across the city was intense, with soldiers, police, and operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) stationed at key locations, including the Three Arms Zone, Eagle Square, Unity Fountain, and roads leading to the Presidential Villa. The authorities had earlier warned that protests would not be allowed near sensitive government areas, citing security concerns.

Despite the restrictions, organisers insisted the protest would go on, accusing President Bola Tinubu’s government of defying court rulings and trampling on citizens’ rights. Sowore had called for a peaceful demonstration under the banner #ReleaseNnamdiKanuNow, marking the fifth anniversary of the 2020 #EndSARS movement.

Before the protest began, tension had already spread across parts of the capital. Witnesses said police fired tear gas even before demonstrators arrived at the designated meeting points, forcing commuters and workers to take cover.

One resident recounted how the scene descended into confusion within minutes. “There were no protesters yet; people were just going about their business when police started shooting tear gas,” he said. “Everyone started running, even roadside traders and taxi drivers.”

The police crackdown came a day after the force issued a statement warning organisers to avoid restricted areas and maintain peace. But activists described the warning as intimidation, vowing to continue peaceful advocacy for Kanu’s release.

Legal representatives of the detained IPOB leader also condemned the government’s handling of the matter. Barrister Njoku Jude Njoku, a member of Kanu’s defence team, issued a statement accusing authorities of disobeying a valid Court of Appeal judgment that discharged and acquitted Kanu in 2022. He described the continued detention as a “national disgrace” and “a clear violation of the Constitution.”

Njoku further argued that retrying Kanu after his acquittal breaches Section 36(9) of the 1999 Constitution, which prohibits double jeopardy. He added that some of the charges against Kanu were filed under a repealed version of the Terrorism Act, questioning the legality of the proceedings.

As of Monday afternoon, several protesters had reportedly been arrested, while others regrouped in smaller clusters across the city. The police maintained a heavy presence to prevent further gatherings.

The #ReleaseNnamdiKanuNow movement has continued to gain traction, with activists and political figures calling on the federal government to respect court orders and release Kanu, who has been in the custody of the Department of State Services since 2021.