A coalition of civil society groups under the banner of the Rescue Alaigbo Movement on Wednesday staged a peaceful protest at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, voicing concerns over worsening insecurity in the South East and rejecting renewed appeals for the release of detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
The protesters, who converged at the Unity Fountain before marching to the National Assembly gate, argued that freeing Kanu would not resolve the killings, kidnappings, and destruction plaguing the region.
They carried placards with messages such as “Free the South East from Terror, Not Kanu” and “Stop Politicizing Insecurity,” while urging President Bola Tinubu not to yield to political pressure to release Kanu, whom they described as a “symbol hijacked by criminals.”
Speaking to journalists, the movement’s convener, Chika Obinna, said the insecurity in the South East had been overtaken by criminal elements exploiting the Biafra agitation.
“We are here to make it clear that releasing Nnamdi Kanu will not bring peace. What the South East needs is a sustained security strategy to eliminate armed gangs and restore normalcy,” Obinna stated.
He disclosed that the group had sought and obtained permission from the Department of State Services (DSS) to hold the demonstration, stressing that it was peaceful and geared toward promoting unity and stability.
The protest came amid growing calls from religious, youth, and women’s groups for President Tinubu to release Kanu as a step toward ending the region’s insecurity.
Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo recently echoed similar sentiments, expressing doubts that releasing the IPOB leader would resolve the crisis, noting that many armed groups no longer take orders from Kanu or IPOB.
Kanu has been in DSS custody since 2021 after his rendition from Kenya. Despite a 2022 Court of Appeal ruling that discharged him, the Federal Government has continued to detain him on national security grounds, as he faces terrorism-related charges at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Meanwhile, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) dismissed the protesters’ claims, maintaining that Kanu’s continued detention is the root cause of unrest in the region. The group argued that his release would expose and isolate criminal elements hiding under the Biafra struggle.
Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore has also announced plans to lead a nationwide protest tagged #FreeNnamdiKanuNow on October 20, demanding the IPOB leader’s release.
The Presidency, however, condemned the planned demonstration, describing Sowore as “an anarchist masquerading as a rights activist.”
Former Senate President Adolphus Wabara threw his support behind the campaign, saying efforts to demand Kanu’s release align with the quest for justice and national reconciliation.
Security analysts have cautioned that solving the South East crisis requires more than political appeasement. They urged the Federal Government and regional leaders to combine dialogue with firm law enforcement to restore lasting peace.
