Protest led by Sowore sparks chaos as police barricade city, arrest Kanu’s lawyer, journalists, and activists amid nationwide reactions
Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory was thrown into chaos yesterday as security operatives fired tear gas to disperse protesters demanding the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu. The protest, spearheaded by activist Omoyele Sowore under the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow campaign, led to heavy gridlock, restricted movement, and widespread public anger across Abuja.
By 6:00 a.m., police and soldiers had blocked major access routes into the city, causing commuters to remain stuck in traffic for hours. The situation worsened around Maitama, where protesters, many waving placards and chanting “Free Nnamdi Kanu Now!”, were confronted by heavily armed police officers who fired tear gas canisters to disperse them.
Eyewitnesses reported panic as protesters ran for safety, while several were arrested, including Kanu’s lawyer, Mr. Aloy Ejimakor, and his younger brother, Fineboy Kanu. Sowore narrowly escaped the clampdown. Security forces had, a day earlier, warned that no protester should approach Aso Rock, the National Assembly, or surrounding areas.
The city soon descended into gridlock as police barricades paralyzed major routes linking Bwari, Kubwa, Dutse, and Nyanya to the Central Area. Commuters lamented being stranded for hours. “If people are going to the Villa, why should that affect those of us on the outskirts?” said a frustrated motorist, Usman Jibrin, who claimed to have been trapped in traffic for over an hour.
Security presence was most intense around the Three Arms Zone and Aso Villa, where soldiers, police, and operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) sealed off all entrances. Even authorized staff with Villa access tags were denied entry and diverted to alternate routes. “All access roads are blocked. Nobody is allowed in, even with tags,” one Villa employee posted on social media.
The lockdown extended to the Keffi–Abuja expressway, where soldiers stopped vehicles for early-morning checks, causing traffic to back up as far as Karu and Nyanya. Civil servants, traders, and travelers coming from Mararaba, Karu, and Asokoro were the hardest hit. Security forces also mounted patrols around Eagle Square, the Federal Secretariat, and the National Assembly to forestall further demonstrations.
Amid the chaos, journalists covering the protest were not spared. Agence France-Presse reporter John Okunyomih was reportedly assaulted and had his equipment destroyed, while a police tear gas canister shattered the rear windshield of a car belonging to BusinessDay correspondent Tony Ailemen. The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Abuja condemned the attacks, describing them as “a gross violation of press freedom and democratic principles.”
The NUJ demanded an investigation into the incident, urging Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun and FCT Commissioner of Police Dantawaye Miller to sanction the officers involved and replace damaged work equipment. “Journalists are not enemies of the state but partners in nation-building,” the union said, calling for an end to the harassment of media professionals performing their lawful duties.
Following the arrests, Sowore condemned what he called “illegal detentions” and threatened to mobilize protesters to occupy the FCT Police Command if those arrested were not released immediately. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he said: “The @FCT_PoliceNG must release Barrister @AloyEjimakor, Fineboy Kanu, and others arrested over the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest or face mass occupation of their office.”
Human rights lawyer and activist Maxwell Opara, who also joined the protest, said the organizers were not aware of any valid court order banning public demonstrations in Abuja. He accused the government of “selective obedience to court orders,” pointing out that multiple judgments ordering Kanu’s release had been ignored. “We’ve kept away from restricted zones, so why are they after us?” he queried.
Police authorities later defended their actions. Force spokesperson CSP Benjamin Hundeyin said officers used tear gas lawfully to prevent protesters from approaching restricted areas, citing a court order that prohibits demonstrations around the Villa, National Assembly, Force Headquarters, Court of Appeal, and Eagle Square. “We did not block roads; we cleared them after protesters obstructed movement,” he stated.
Meanwhile, solidarity for Kanu spread beyond Abuja. In Akure, Ondo State, shops owned by Igbo traders along major roads were shut in support of the call for his release, partially paralyzing commercial activities. “We closed our shops to show solidarity with our brother who has suffered in detention,” said Timothy Andrew, a spare parts dealer. Security patrols were also intensified across the state capital to prevent unrest.
The Igbo Women Assembly (IWA) also joined the call for the release of all detained protesters, including Ejimakor and Kanu’s brother. National President of IWA, Lolo Nneka Chimezie, condemned what she called “impunity taken too far,” insisting that peaceful protest is a fundamental right. She alleged that police used excessive force, including live ammunition, during the Abuja demonstration. “I was there. I was tear-gassed. That’s wrong. We demand the immediate release of all arrested protesters,” she said.
Chimezie criticized the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for its intolerance of dissent, reminding the government that the party once benefited from protests during its opposition days. “During the Jonathan administration, APC led protests and nobody harassed them. President Tinubu’s government is becoming worse than a military dictatorship,” she said, urging the administration to respect the rule of law.
From the Presidency, reactions were swift. Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, faulted Ejimakor for joining the protest, calling it “unethical conduct” since Kanu’s trial is still before the court. He urged the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) to review his actions for possible sanctions, accusing him of “attempting to influence the judicial process through street protests.”
Another presidential aide, Sunday Dare, condemned Sowore’s tactics, describing them as “reckless agitation” that undermines the rule of law. He argued that “such stunts would never be tolerated in Europe or America,” adding that the government would not interfere in the judiciary’s handling of Kanu’s case. “Justice will be served through the courts, not through mob pressure,” Dare said.
Amnesty International Nigeria also criticized the government’s response, describing the crackdown as a blatant violation of citizens’ rights. “People must be allowed to freely exercise their right to peaceful protest. Any act undermining freedom of assembly is illegal and reflects unacceptable intolerance of dissent,” the group said in a statement. It urged authorities to ensure that security agencies respect the right to peaceful assembly as guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution and international treaties.
As dusk fell over Abuja, the city remained tense, with lingering smoke from tear gas and security patrols maintaining a heavy presence. For many residents, the events of the day served as yet another reminder of the deep divisions, distrust, and unanswered questions surrounding the fate of Nnamdi Kanu, and the growing debate over how far the government will go to silence dissent in Nigeria’s democracy.
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