Security operatives on Monday dispersed protesters in Abuja demanding the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), using gunshots and tear gas.
The demonstration, tagged #ReleaseNnamdiKanuNow, coincided with the fifth anniversary of the #EndSARS protests against police brutality. Protesters had converged at the Transcorp Hilton and other locations within the Federal Capital Territory before being forcefully dispersed by security forces.
Eyewitnesses said police officers fired multiple tear gas canisters to scatter the crowd, while several demonstrators and bystanders were arrested at different points across the city.
Among those arrested were Kanu’s lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, his brother, and several journalists covering the event. An AFP camera was reportedly destroyed during the confrontation, while two of the organisation’s journalists—American reporter Nicholas Roll and John Okunyomi—were allegedly harassed and briefly detained before being released.
As of press time, security presence remained heavy around key areas of Abuja to forestall further demonstrations.
