Operatives of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command on Monday reportedly attacked human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, alongside other protesters demanding the release of those arrested during the ongoing #FreeNnamdiKanuNow demonstrations.
Sowore, who led a group of activists to the FCT Police Command in Abuja, said the move followed the arrest of Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyer, Barrister Aloy Ejimakor, his brother Prince Emmanuel “Fineboy” Kanu, and several others who had earlier participated in the protest.
In a statement posted on his verified social media handle, Sowore said:
“We relocated to the FCT Police Command to ensure the unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu’s brother, Fineboy; his lawyer, Barrister Aloy Ejimakor; and 11 others who were arrested and tortured for participating in the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow peaceful protest.”
He alleged that while the group was at the command, officers launched a violent attack on them.
“While we were there, we began another phase of our protest, and the police responded by attacking us right in front of the command,” Sowore said.
The activist further accused the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, of directing that the detained protesters be interrogated and possibly held for longer periods.
“We were informed that the IGP ordered that they be ‘interviewed’ and possibly detained. This will not stand,” he declared.
The #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest, which has spread across several Nigerian cities, seeks the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). His continued detention has been widely condemned by rights groups and civil society organisations.
Earlier reports indicated that the police had arrested Ejimakor, Prince Emmanuel Kanu, and others during a protest at Abuja’s Transcorp Hilton area, where officers fired multiple rounds of tear gas to disperse demonstrators.
Eyewitnesses said the security forces also fired tear gas in the Maitama area, creating panic among passersby and commuters.
“There were no protesters yet; people were just moving around when suddenly police began firing tear gas,” a witness told SaharaReporters.
Security agencies, including the Department of State Services (DSS) and soldiers, were also deployed to strategic parts of the capital city—such as the Three Arms Zone, Eagle Square, Federal Secretariat, and Unity Fountain—to block access routes leading to the Presidential Villa.
The heavy security presence followed warnings issued by the police on Sunday, cautioning organisers to avoid “restricted areas.” Despite this, Sowore and other organisers vowed to continue the demonstrations, accusing President Bola Tinubu’s administration of ignoring court orders and undermining the rule of law.
