Police set to arraign Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyer, others arrested during protest in Abuja

The Nigeria Police Force has confirmed the arrest of eight individuals, including human rights lawyer Aloy Ejimakor and Fineboy Kanu, a relative of detained IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, during the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest held on Monday in parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Police spokesman, Benjamin Hundeyin, disclosed the arrests and noted that the suspects would soon be charged to court. He clarified that contrary to circulating reports, officers did not fire live ammunition at the protesters.

Hundeyin explained that the police acted in accordance with their Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), using only teargas to disperse protesters who attempted to breach areas restricted by a valid court order.

“I can state categorically, authoritatively, that no live ammunition was fired. It’s very easy for people unfamiliar with the sounds to mistake the firing of tear gas for live ammunition.”

“They (those arrested) are currently at the state CID. Once we conclude investigations, they will be prosecuted,” he added.

He argued that the police obtained an order from the Federal High Court restricting protesters from accessing certain parts of the FCT and key national institutions.

The action against the protesters, according to him, was taken based on intelligence reports suggesting that the protest could degenerate into violence.

“There was a group that protested along this road some years back, and it was anarchy. We saw ambulances burnt down. We cannot allow that to happen again,” Hundeyin recalled.

Protest for the release of Kanu, sparked a sweeping security lockdown around the Presidential Villa and other parts of Abuja, causing gridlock on many roads.

The demonstration, led by the convener of the #RevolutionNow movement, Omoyele Sowore, had prompted heightened security across the FCT.

By dawn, combined teams of soldiers, police officers, and operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) had mounted barricades on major entry points leading into the Central Business District (CBD), paralysing vehicular movements and leaving thousands of commuters stranded.

Access to the Three Arms Zone—housing the Presidential Villa, the National Assembly, and the Supreme Court—was severely restricted, with stringent stop-and-search operations in place.

Staff of the Villa struggled to gain entry. Even those with valid parking permits were redirected to alternative lots outside the complex.

The ripple effect of the clampdown was felt across the city. Security personnel sealed off the Keffi-Abuja Expressway at Karu Bridge near the Sani Abacha Barracks before dawn, leading to long vehicular queues. Motorists on the route were subjected to extensive security checks.

Civil servants and traders commuting from Nyanya, Karu, Mararaba and Masaka were among the worst hit by the gridlock.

Similar scenes were reported along the Dutse-Bwari and Airport Road corridors where motorists approaching the CBD from the airport axis were diverted at the National Mosque by security agents.

An advisory circulated among civil servants by some concerned workers read: “Good morning dear colleagues, please if you are coming from Airport Road to Central Area, follow Area 1. Security blocked from National Mosque.”

Roads leading to the Eagle Square, the Federal Secretariat, and the National Assembly were also cordoned off with heavily armed security personnel.

Nnamdi Kanu, who was arrested and extradited to Nigeria in June 2021 has since then been in a DSS facility in Abuja where he is facing treason charges.

The protest commenced around 7 am in front of Transcop Hilton Hotel but as the demonstrators moved near Maitama District, the police fired teargas canisters to disperse them.

Their leader, Sowore, was seen running to safety with handkerchief covering his nose.

Kanu’s Lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, who was arrested alongside Fineboy Kanu, a relative of the IPOB leader and six others by officers of the Federal Capital Territory Police Command.

The protesters, who later gathered at Berger junction where the police also dispersed them, chanted solidarity songs and carried placards bearing inscriptions such as “Free Nnamdi Kanu Now.”

They later moved to Utako where they continued the protest which did not last long.

Sowore, thereafter, took to his official X to condemned and criticized the police against what he described as an “illegal detention.”

He called for the release of Ejimakor and others arrested with him.

The activist threatened that the ‘entire crew’ would be mobilised to the FCT command if all those arrested were not released.

He wrote: “The @FCT_PoliceNG is instructed to release Barrister @AloyEjimakor, Fineboy Kanu, and others illegally arrested, tortured, and currently being forced into detention over #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest immediately, or we will mobilize the entire crew now on the street to the FCT command and occupy their office.”

After his arrest, Ejimakor took to his X, accusing police operatives of assaulting the demonstrators.

He said the police detained him and others at the FCT Command Criminal Investigation in Garki.

In Lagos, police operatives were deployed in notable rally arenas like the Lekki Toll Gate, Ojota, Maryland and Gani Fawehinmi Park.

At the Iyana Ipaja axis, a few protesters who attempted to gather around the roundabout were dispersed.

Commissioner of Police Olohundare Jimoh had in the early hours of yesterday told reporters that a ‘Show of Force,’ conducted before the deployment of operatives was to demonstrate the readiness of the state command to maintain peace and order.

Jimoh said: ”We want residents to know that they are safe and can go about their lawful businesses without fear.”

(Nation)