ABUJA, Nigeria – Hundreds of protesters took to the streets of Nigeria’s capital on Monday, defying a Federal High Court order to demand the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). The demonstration coincided with the fifth anniversary of the nationwide #EndSARS protests against police brutality.
Chanting “Free Nnamdi Kanu,” the crowd marched through Abuja, drawing a swift and forceful response from security forces. The protest occurred despite explicit warnings from the Nigeria Police Force that it would “deal decisively” with any demonstrations near the official residence of the President, the Aso Rock Villa.
According to local media reports, police deployed tear gas and live bullets to disperse the gathering. The situation escalated further with the arrest of one of Kanu’s lawyers, who was present at the protest.
Nnamdi Kanu has been in detention since 2021 after being extradited from Kenya. He is currently facing terrorism charges, a case that has drawn significant national and international attention and sparked repeated protests from his supporters who view his detention as unjust.
The choice of date for the protest is significant, as it revives memories of the massive #EndSARS protests of 2020, which culminated in a violent crackdown by the military. The convergence of these two sensitive issues—Kanu’s detention and the #EndSARS anniversary—highlighted ongoing tensions between the government and segments of the populace over issues of sovereignty, security, and civil liberties.
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