Police officers in Abuja confronted and dispersed a crowd of protesters on Monday who demanded the immediate release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu. The protest, which began as a peaceful demonstration, quickly escalated into chaos when security forces fired several rounds of tear gas at the demonstrators, forcing them to flee the Maitama area. Despite the disruption, the group regrouped at Utako, where they resumed their chants and calls for Kanu’s release. But once again, armed police moved in, firing more tear gas to break up the gathering.
The protesters, who identified themselves as civil rights activists, pro-democracy advocates, and concerned citizens, came together under the banner of the #ReleaseNnamdiKanuNow campaign. Their goal was to compel the Federal Government to comply with the 2022 judgment of the Court of Appeal, which discharged and acquitted Kanu of all charges. The group accused the government of disobeying a valid court order by continuing to hold him in custody despite the ruling.
The protest began early in the morning near the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Maitama, a busy area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Witnesses reported that dozens of protesters marched through the streets, waving banners and chanting slogans that called for freedom and justice. Some carried placards with inscriptions such as “Obey Court Orders,” “Free Nnamdi Kanu Now,” and “Justice Delayed Is Justice Denied.” The demonstration drew the attention of security personnel who had been stationed in strategic parts of Abuja in anticipation of possible unrest.
Shortly after the protest gained momentum, police officers surrounded the area and ordered the demonstrators to disperse. When they refused, the officers fired tear gas canisters to scatter the crowd. Thick clouds of gas filled the air, forcing protesters and passersby to run in different directions. Shop owners in the area hurriedly closed their businesses, while motorists abandoned their vehicles in the middle of the road to avoid the chaos. The sound of gunfire-like explosions from the tear gas canisters caused panic, and within minutes, the once-busy streets of Maitama emptied.
Despite the disruption, the protesters showed determination. About an hour later, they regrouped several kilometers away at Utako, another commercial hub of the city. They resumed their chants, singing songs of unity and resistance, while waving flags and placards. Some wore T-shirts with Kanu’s image printed on them, while others carried the green, red, and black Biafran colors. Their chants of “Free Our Leader!” echoed through the air, drawing a small crowd of curious onlookers.
Police operatives, however, quickly tracked the movement of the demonstrators and arrived at the scene in several patrol vans. The officers once again fired tear gas to disperse the group. Protesters ran in different directions, covering their faces with pieces of cloth soaked in water to minimize the effect of the gas. Some fell to the ground as others helped them to safety. Within minutes, the area became deserted again, with empty banners and discarded placards scattered on the pavement.
As the tension continued, heavy security presence spread across the FCT. Soldiers, police officers, and operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) occupied key government areas, including Eagle Square, the Federal Secretariat, and the Three Arms Zone—home to the Presidency, the National Assembly, and the Supreme Court. Their presence sent a strong message that the government would not tolerate any form of protest that could disrupt public order. At the Berger roundabout, a major transport hub in the capital, eyewitnesses saw a gun truck positioned near a group of heavily armed soldiers keeping watch.
Many residents expressed fear and frustration over the heightened security and the repeated use of force against unarmed protesters. Some commuters who were caught in the crossfire described the experience as terrifying. A trader who witnessed the Maitama incident said the air was so thick with tear gas that even people not involved in the protest found it hard to breathe. “They fired so many canisters that the entire area became unlivable. People just ran for their lives,” she said. Another witness, a taxi driver, said he narrowly escaped arrest while trying to move his vehicle away from the scene.
Human rights activists condemned the police response, calling it excessive and unnecessary. According to them, the protesters had the right to peaceful assembly as guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution. One activist said, “What we saw today was an attempt to silence dissent. The people were simply demanding that the government respect its own court’s decision. Instead of listening, the authorities responded with force.”
The police, however, defended their actions, insisting that they acted to prevent a breakdown of law and order. A senior officer who spoke to journalists said intelligence reports indicated that the protest might have been infiltrated by hoodlums who planned to cause violence. He explained that the use of tear gas was a crowd control measure, not an attack on citizens. “We have the responsibility to protect lives and property. We cannot allow any group to take the law into their hands,” he said.
Nnamdi Kanu’s prolonged detention has remained one of Nigeria’s most controversial political and legal issues in recent years. The IPOB leader was first arrested in 2015 and later released on bail before fleeing the country in 2017 after a military raid on his residence. In June 2021, security operatives rearrested him abroad and brought him back to Nigeria, where he has since faced multiple charges related to terrorism, treasonable felony, and incitement. Kanu maintains that he has done nothing wrong, insisting that his advocacy for Biafran independence is peaceful and lawful.
The Court of Appeal, in October 2022, discharged and acquitted him, ruling that his extradition violated international law and that the government had no legal basis to continue his trial. However, the Federal Government refused to release him, claiming that other charges still stand. This decision sparked outrage among his supporters, leading to repeated protests and renewed calls for his freedom. Monday’s demonstration was the latest in a series of efforts by civil society groups to draw attention to what they describe as a flagrant disregard for the rule of law.
Observers say the government’s handling of the situation could have far-reaching implications. Many fear that the continuous detention of Kanu despite court rulings could deepen mistrust between the federal authorities and the South-East region, where IPOB enjoys considerable sympathy. The repeated confrontations between protesters and security forces also highlight Nigeria’s shrinking civic space, where peaceful demonstrations often meet with violent responses.
Political analysts argue that the government’s reluctance to release Kanu reflects a broader fear of setting a precedent that might embolden other separatist movements. Yet, they warn that suppressing legitimate dissent through force could worsen tensions rather than resolve them. A political commentator noted that “the government’s approach must balance national security concerns with respect for human rights. You cannot build peace through intimidation.”
The protesters’ persistence, despite police repression, underscores the deep emotional and political weight Kanu’s case carries. For many of his followers, his imprisonment represents not just the silencing of a man but the suppression of an entire movement seeking justice and self-determination. Their campaign has evolved beyond one man’s fate to symbolize a struggle for freedom, dignity, and political inclusion.
Meanwhile, residents of Abuja continue to live under heightened security, with checkpoints and patrols becoming a daily sight. Business owners and workers complain that these repeated disruptions hurt commerce and fuel anxiety. Some have urged the government to open dialogue with IPOB leaders instead of relying solely on force. “We need peace, not tension,” said a shop owner near Wuse Market. “The police should protect people, not scare them.”
The Federal Government has remained silent on the latest protest, but sources within the security community say authorities are closely monitoring activities linked to pro-Biafra groups. They insist that the government cannot allow any movement to threaten the country’s unity. However, critics argue that dialogue and respect for court orders remain the only sustainable paths to peace.
As night fell over Abuja on Monday, the city slowly returned to normalcy, but the lingering smell of tear gas in some parts of the city reminded residents of the day’s chaos. Empty streets, scattered banners, and the presence of soldiers painted a picture of tension and unresolved conflict. The protesters may have dispersed, but their message echoed louder than before: the demand for justice and the call for Nnamdi Kanu’s release are not going away anytime soon.
For now, both sides remain firm in their positions. The government insists that maintaining national security and public order must come first, warning that no individual or group should be allowed to threaten Nigeria’s unity. Officials argue that releasing Nnamdi Kanu without resolving all legal issues could set a dangerous precedent and weaken the authority of the state.
Kanu’s supporters, however, refuse to yield. They see his continued detention as an act of injustice and a violation of human rights. To them, the call for his release goes beyond one man—it represents the demand for fairness, freedom, and respect for the rule of law. They continue to organize peaceful campaigns, both within and outside the country, urging the government to honor the court’s judgment and prove its commitment to justice.
This standoff has become more than a legal dispute; it reflects the delicate balance between state authority and citizens’ rights. Each confrontation between protesters and security forces exposes the growing tension between the government’s desire for control and the people’s demand for justice. Critics argue that peace cannot be achieved through suppression, while others insist that order must be maintained to prevent chaos.
Whether dialogue or defiance will prevail remains uncertain. What is clear is that the call for justice has grown louder with every protest. The chants, the banners, and the courage of the demonstrators show that their demand cannot easily be silenced. Even after tear gas fades and the streets grow quiet, the cry for Nnamdi Kanu’s freedom continues to echo across the nation—a reminder that true peace comes only when justice and dialogue walk side by side.