By Hassan Osman Kargbo
Nigerian police have fired tear gas to disperse protesters in the capital, Abuja, who gathered on Monday to demand the release of detained separatist leader Nnamdi Kanu. The protest, led by activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, called for Kanu’s immediate freedom and accused the government of violating his fundamental human rights.
Witnesses said the protesters had assembled peacefully near the Federal High Court before security forces moved in to break up the gathering. Some demonstrators carried placards and banners with messages such as “Free Nnamdi Kanu Now” and “Justice for Biafra.” The crowd chanted solidarity songs and called for respect for the rule of law, but the demonstration was abruptly halted when police fired tear gas to disperse them.
Sowore, who has been a vocal critic of the Nigerian government, condemned the use of force against peaceful protesters. He said the group was exercising its constitutional right to peaceful assembly and expression. “We came here to demand justice and the unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu. Instead, the police attacked us with tear gas,” he said, describing the response as “a clear abuse of power.”
Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has been in detention since 2021 on terrorism-related charges. The Nigerian government accuses him of inciting violence and threatening national unity through his advocacy for an independent Biafran state in the country’s southeast.
Kanu, who also holds British citizenship, has denied all the charges, insisting that IPOB’s campaign is rooted in the peaceful pursuit of self-determination. His lawyers and supporters argue that his continued detention despite several court rulings in his favour violates both Nigerian and international human rights laws.
The Indigenous People of Biafra movement seeks independence for the Igbo-speaking region of southeastern Nigeria, which once attempted to secede as the Republic of Biafra in 1967. The declaration led to a brutal civil war that lasted three years and left more than a million people dead, mostly from famine.
Since then, calls for a separate Biafran state have persisted, gaining renewed momentum in recent years under Kanu’s leadership. His detention has become a rallying point for many in the region who feel politically and economically marginalized.
Human rights organizations have repeatedly urged the Nigerian government to ensure a fair trial and to respect Kanu’s legal rights. However, authorities maintain that his activities pose a serious threat to national security and unity.
As the standoff continues, protests like Monday’s in Abuja highlight the growing tension between the government and pro-Biafra activists. Supporters have vowed to keep pressing for Kanu’s release and for dialogue on what they call “the Biafran question.
