Operatives of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command have again attacked human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, while he was demanding the unconditional release of individuals arrested during the ongoing #FreeNnamdiKanuNow demonstration in Abuja.
Sowore, who led members of the Take It Back Movement to the command headquarters on Monday, said they relocated there after the arrest of Barrister Aloy Ejimakor — Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyer — his brother Fineboy Kanu, and several other protesters.
“We relocated to the FCT Police Command to ensure the unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu’s brother, Fineboy, his lawyer, Barrister Aloy Ejimakor, and 11 others who were arrested and tortured for participating in the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow peaceful protest,” Sowore said in a post on his verified social media handle.
He alleged that while they were at the command premises, police officers attacked them once again.
“While we were there, we commenced another phase of our protest, and the police responded by attacking us right in front of the command,” he added.
Sowore further accused the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, of ordering that the detained protesters be interrogated and possibly held further, describing the action as “illegal and oppressive.”
“We were informed that the illegal Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, requested that they be ‘interviewed’ and possibly detained. This will not stand,” he declared.
The activist’s statement followed reports earlier in the day that Ejimakor, Prince Emmanuel Kanu, and several others had been arrested during the protest. Human rights groups have condemned the arrests as a violation of citizens’ constitutional rights to peaceful assembly.
Ejimakor, in a message posted on X (formerly Twitter), confirmed his arrest, saying:
“We’ve just been arrested. Myself, Prince Emmanuel, and others are at the FCT Command CID, No. 1 Zaria Street, Garki 2, Abuja.”
Kanu’s brother, Kanunta Kanu, also confirmed the development, describing it as “an illegal act against citizens exercising their right to protest.”
Earlier in the day, security operatives had fired tear gas canisters at Sowore, several clergymen, and civil society members during a separate protest near the Transcorp Hilton area of Abuja. The demonstrators, who had gathered peacefully, were dispersed as armed officers stormed the scene.
Witnesses said police officers also fired tear gas at random in Maitama, forcing residents and commuters to flee.
“There were no protesters yet; people were just moving around as usual when suddenly the police started firing tear gas,” a witness told SaharaReporters.
Security forces, including the Nigerian Army and the Department of State Services (DSS), have since taken control of major parts of the FCT — including the Three Arms Zone, Eagle Square, Federal Secretariat, Unity Fountain, and roads leading to Aso Rock — to prevent protesters from converging.
The #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest, which began early Monday, has spread to several cities across Nigeria. Organisers insist the campaign will continue until the detained IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, is released, accusing the Tinubu administration of contempt of court and disregard for the rule of law.
