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| Photo of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu |
Tensions are mounting in Abuja as organisers of the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest vow to proceed with their planned march to the Presidential Villa today (Monday), despite a Federal High Court order restraining them from doing so.
The protesters are demanding the immediate and unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who remains in detention over charges of terrorism, treason, and incitement.
Defiance Despite Court Injunction
Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja had last Friday granted an interim injunction barring the protesters led by activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore from demonstrating near sensitive government areas, including the Aso Rock Villa, National Assembly, Eagle Square, and Force Headquarters.
The court order followed an ex parte motion filed by the Nigeria Police Force on behalf of the Federal Government. The matter is set for hearing today.
However, the organisers insist the demonstration will go on as planned in Abuja and across major cities in the South-East.
“The protest is a peaceful exercise and a constitutional right,” said Damilare Adenola, Director of Mobilisation for the Take It Back Movement. “Nothing can discourage us. We are marching peacefully to demand justice and the release of Nnamdi Kanu.”
Adenola criticised what he described as attempts to “intimidate peaceful citizens,” warning that blocking the march would only expose the government’s disregard for basic freedoms.
Legal Team and National Mobilisation
Counsel to the protesters, Maxwell Opara, argued that his clients had not been served with any court order and had properly notified the police of the planned protest.
“The police are expected to provide security, not to suppress citizens exercising their democratic rights,” Opara said.
According to Sowore, more than 115 lawyers, medical personnel, and media teams have been mobilised nationwide to support protesters. He revealed that mobilisation had reached marketplaces, religious centres, and even included meetings with former President Goodluck Jonathan and diaspora groups.
Opposition Voices Join the Call
The protest has attracted growing political support, with major opposition figures including Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi endorsing the movement.
Obi criticised the continued detention of Kanu, insisting that dialogue remains the only sustainable solution to separatist tensions.
“There was no need for his arrest in the first place,” Obi said, reaffirming his commitment to negotiation and peaceful resolution.
Similarly, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, said the protest reflects a broader call for justice and fairness across Nigeria.
The Labour Party’s Interim National Publicity Secretary, Tony Akeni, accused the government of “double standards,” arguing that while Kanu faces prosecution, known bandits in the North are being engaged in dialogue.
“This hypocrisy has eroded public trust and attracted international condemnation,” Akeni added.
Divided Legal Opinions within Kanu’s Team
Members of Kanu’s legal team remain split over the protest. Senior Advocate of Nigeria Onyechi Ikpeazu said he would focus on the court proceedings, not street demonstrations.
“Our duty is to defend him in court,” he explained. “We cannot take the case beyond the judiciary.”
Conversely, another of Kanu’s lawyers, Aloy Ejimakor, declared full support for the protest, calling it a “civic and constitutional right.”
“I will be joining the protest myself,” he said, though he clarified that he had not discussed the matter directly with Kanu.
Security Agencies on Alert
In anticipation of possible unrest, security agencies have intensified patrols and deployments around the Federal Capital Territory.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), through FCT Commandant Olusola Odumosu, warned protesters against vandalism or any form of violence.
“We respect the right to peaceful protest, but destruction or looting will be met with the full weight of the law,” Odumosu stated.
He confirmed the deployment of tactical units and area commands to major flashpoints in Abuja, adding that officers had been instructed to maintain restraint and professionalism.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) declared all correctional facilities nationwide as “Red Zones” ahead of the protest.
Spokesperson Umar Abubakar cautioned the public to steer clear of prisons, stressing that any attempt to breach restricted areas would be treated as a grave security threat.
A Nation on Edge
The timing of the #FreeNnamdiKanu protest coinciding with the fifth anniversary of the #EndSARS movement has heightened government anxiety. Authorities fear a repeat of the mass demonstrations that erupted in 2020 and ended in the controversial Lekki Toll Gate incident.
As protesters vow to march on the Presidential Villa, all eyes are on Abuja, where the coming hours may determine whether the rally remains peaceful or sparks another nationwide standoff between citizens and the state.
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