Police
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The Nigeria Police Force has explained the dispersal of protesters in Abuja demanding the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). According to CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, the police spokesperson, security operatives only used tear gas on protesters who approached the Aso Villa and other sensitive areas marked as restricted by a court order.
The police had earlier warned against unauthorized gatherings, citing concerns about potential breaches of peace. Despite this, the protesters, led by human rights activist Omoyele Sowore, attempted to march through parts of central Abuja, chanting solidarity songs and calling for Kanu’s freedom. The situation escalated when protesters were met with a heavy police presence, including armed personnel and water cannon trucks. Tear gas was fired to disperse the crowd, causing panic among commuters and traders in the area.
Some protesters were forced to flee, while others were seen scattering. The police defended their actions, stating that they were carrying out their mandate to maintain law and order. CSP Hundeyin emphasized that the police did not block the roads but cleared them after protesters had blocked them, allowing other Nigerians to pass through.
The protest is part of a broader movement demanding Kanu’s release, with his supporters arguing that his detention is politically motivated. Kanu has been in custody since 2021 and faces terrorism charges, which his supporters claim are baseless. The police operation was aimed at maintaining public order, and a senior police source told Investors King that the deployment was a preventive measure to ensure no breakdown of law and order .
