Sowore Condemns Police Arrest of Nnamdi Kanu’s Brother, Lawyer During Abuja Protest

Human rights activist and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has accused the Nigeria Police Force of unlawfully arresting the brother of detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu, and his lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, during the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest held on Monday in Abuja.

In a post shared on his verified 𝕏 handle (formerly Twitter), Sowore alleged that police officers deployed to monitor the peaceful demonstration resorted to violence, using excessive force to disperse participants and detaining innocent bystanders in the process.

“The @PoliceNG team deployed to brutalize #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protesters arrested Nnamdi Kanu’s brother, and his lawyer, @AloyEjimakor, as well as innocent bystanders. They were beaten and taken to the FCT command. The police must release them immediately!” Sowore wrote.

The activist, known for his outspoken criticism of government authorities, condemned the alleged brutality, describing it as another instance of Nigeria’s shrinking civic space and disregard for citizens’ right to peaceful assembly.

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Police Crack Down on #FreeNnamdiKanuNow Protest

Eyewitnesses reported that security operatives fired live bullets and teargas to disperse demonstrators who had gathered near the Central Business District (CBD) of Abuja. The situation reportedly caused panic among commuters and disrupted traffic across major roads, including those leading to the Federal Secretariat, Eagle Square, and Shehu Shagari Way.

Several videos circulating on social media showed chaotic scenes as protesters fled the area while police vans patrolled the streets. Witnesses said that the heavy-handed response of the police led to minor injuries among participants and bystanders.

Residents described the atmosphere as tense, with police barricades creating gridlock that extended to Area 1, Garki, and parts of Wuse Zone 3. Some shop owners in the vicinity were forced to close early due to the chaos, fearing potential clashes between protesters and law enforcement agencies.

Police Justify Security Measures

Prior to the protest, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) had issued a public advisory designating specific areas of the capital as restricted zones for protests. The announcement, made by CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, the Force Public Relations Officer, cited a Federal High Court order restricting public demonstrations near key government institutions.

According to Hundeyin, the restricted zones include Aso Rock Villa, the National Assembly Complex, the Court of Appeal, the Force Headquarters, Eagle Square, and Shehu Shagari Way. The police spokesperson urged groups advocating either for or against Kanu’s release to respect the ruling and maintain public order.

“The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to protecting the rights of citizens to peaceful protest. However, this must be exercised within the limits of the law to prevent any breakdown of law and order,” Hundeyin stated.

Despite the advisory, the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow movement, made up largely of IPOB sympathizers and civil rights groups, proceeded with the protest, demanding the unconditional release of the separatist leader who has been in detention since June 2021.

Background: Nnamdi Kanu’s Prolonged Detention

Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), was re-arrested and extraordinarily renditioned from Kenya to Nigeria in 2021. Since then, he has been held by the Department of State Services (DSS) on charges bordering on treasonable felony and incitement.

Kanu’s continued detention has sparked numerous protests and legal battles, with supporters arguing that his rights have been violated and that the government has ignored court orders mandating his release. His legal team, led by Aloy Ejimakor, has repeatedly accused the authorities of political persecution and abuse of due process.

Ejimakor himself, now reportedly arrested, has been vocal about Kanu’s deteriorating health and the need for his immediate release in compliance with existing court rulings.

Sowore Calls for Accountability and Immediate Release

Reacting to Monday’s arrests, Sowore called on the Inspector General of Police and the Federal Government to release all detained protesters immediately. He emphasized that the use of violence against peaceful demonstrators reflects poorly on Nigeria’s democratic values and international image.

“Peaceful protest is not a crime. Those who stand up for justice should not be brutalized or detained for exercising their constitutional rights,” Sowore declared.

He also warned that silencing dissent through intimidation and unlawful arrests would only deepen public frustration and fuel further unrest.

Civil rights organizations, including Amnesty International Nigeria and the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), have since condemned the incident, demanding an investigation into the alleged police brutality and urging authorities to uphold citizens’ right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.

As of press time, the Nigeria Police Force had not confirmed the reported arrests of Nnamdi Kanu’s brother and Aloy Ejimakor, nor had they issued an official statement addressing Sowore’s allegations.

The incident has once again reignited public debate over Nigeria’s handling of peaceful protests, human rights, and the ongoing detention of Nnamdi Kanu — a case that continues to stir controversy both locally and internationally.