Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) on Monday reportedly arrested Emmanuel Kanu, the younger brother of the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, along with his lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, during the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest held in Abuja.
Human rights activist and political figure, Omoyele Sowore, who convened the rally, disclosed the incident via his X (formerly Twitter) handle. Sowore alleged that police officers used excessive force and live ammunition to disperse peaceful protesters calling for the immediate release of Nnamdi Kanu.
According to Sowore, “The @PoliceNG team deployed to brutalize #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protesters arrested Nnamdi Kanu’s brother and his lawyer, @AloyEjimakor, alongside innocent bystanders. They were beaten and taken to the FCT Command. The police must release them immediately.”
Eyewitnesses confirmed that the police fired several rounds of tear gas to scatter the demonstrators who had gathered around the Central Business District (CBD) in Abuja. The sudden police action caused panic among residents and disrupted early morning traffic as commuters scrambled for safety.
Reports also indicated that major roads leading into the city centre were blocked by security operatives, leading to heavy gridlock in and around the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Many motorists and pedestrians expressed frustration over the closure, describing it as an unnecessary show of force.
It will be recalled that the Nigeria Police Force had previously issued a warning against holding protests within restricted zones of the capital city.
Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, stated that a Federal High Court order prohibits any form of protest or demonstration around strategic government areas, including the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, National Assembly, Force Headquarters, Court of Appeal, Eagle Square, and Shehu Shagari Way.
The arrest of Emmanuel Kanu and Aloy Ejimakor has since sparked widespread condemnation from human rights groups and supporters of the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow movement, who insist that the protesters were exercising their constitutional rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression.
As of press time, neither the police nor the Federal Capital Territory Command has issued an official statement regarding the arrests or the condition of those detained.
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