NEWS
Sowore and Protesters Flee Gunshots as Security Forces Crush #FreeNnamdiKanuNow March [VIDEO]
A major protest aimed at demanding the release of the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, was violently disrupted on Monday morning in Abuja. Human rights activist and prominent organiser of the demonstration, Omoyele Sowore, was among the protesters who had to run for their lives after security operatives deployed force, including firing shots and tear gas, to disperse the crowd. The incident, which unfolded rapidly near the nation’s presidential seat of power, has reignited concerns over freedom of assembly and police conduct in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The security deployment began early, with combined forces comprising officers from the Police and the Military reportedly taking over the protest grounds at approximately 7 a.m. on Monday. Dependable NG reports that the swift and aggressive crackdown by the security personnel completely extinguished the protesters’ plan to march toward the heavily fortified Aso Rock Villa, the official residence and workplace of the President. The disruption highlights the deep tension between citizens exercising their constitutional rights and the government’s stringent security posture in sensitive areas of the capital.
The primary objective of the demonstration, tagged the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest, was to exert public pressure on the Nigerian Government to comply with court orders and unconditionally release Kanu, who has been in custody for several years facing treason and terrorism charges. Footage of the chaotic scene has since gone viral on social media platforms, with one widely circulated video showing Mr. Sowore, the popular activist, sprinting away from the area alongside other fleeing participants as the sound of gunshots and the haze of tear gas filled the air. This visual evidence quickly brought the harsh reality of the crackdown to the global stage, drawing swift condemnation from rights advocates.
The confrontation was not entirely unforeseen. Authorities from the Nigeria Police Force had previously issued explicit warnings to the organisers, cautioning them against staging any procession or demonstration in close proximity to the Presidential Villa, citing threats to security and potential disruptions to government activities. Critics argue that while the government is obliged to maintain order, the use of live ammunition and tear gas against unarmed demonstrators is a severe overreach of force that violates fundamental human rights, further deepening the rift between the state and aggrieved civil society groups seeking justice and constitutional adherence. The underlying demand for Kanu’s release remains a highly charged political and judicial issue dominating national discourse.
