Police Fire Tear Gas At Sowore, Clerics, Supporters During #ReleaseNnamdiKanuNow Protest In Abuja

Security operatives on Monday fired tear gas canisters at human rights activist Omoyele Sowore, several clergymen, and their supporters during a protest at the Transcorp Hilton area of Abuja.

The protesters, who had gathered to demand the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, were dispersed by heavily armed police officers deployed around the hotel and adjoining streets.

The protesters, including some pastors and members of civil society organisations, were chanting solidarity songs before security agents moved in, firing multiple rounds of tear gas to disperse them.

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force had earlier fired tear gas in the Maitama area of Abuja, dispersing passersby and commuters amid heightened tension ahead of the planned #ReleaseNnamdiKanuNow protest.

The demonstration, championed by human rights activist Sowore and several pro-democracy groups, was billed to hold today, October 20, 2025, with protesters vowing to march to the Presidential Villa to demand the immediate release of detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

However, even before protesters arrived at the designated convergence points, police officers deployed to Maitama and the Central Area fired multiple tear gas canisters, throwing residents and workers into panic. Witnesses said many people who were simply on their way to work were caught in the chaos and scampered for safety.

“There were no protesters yet; people were just moving around as usual when suddenly the police started firing tear gas,” a witness told SaharaReporters.

“Everyone started running, even roadside traders and taxi drivers.”

Security forces, including soldiers and operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), have since taken over strategic parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), including the Three Arms Zone, Eagle Square, Federal Secretariat, Unity Fountain, and adjoining routes leading to Aso Rock.

The lockdown follows warnings issued by the Nigeria Police Force on Sunday, cautioning organisers to “stay clear of restricted areas” and maintain peace. Despite the threats, organisers have vowed to proceed, accusing President Bola Tinubu’s government of gross contempt of court and disregard for the rule of law.

In a statement titled “#ReleaseNnamdiKanu – The Law Is Clear!” Barrister Njoku Jude Njoku, a member of the Nnamdi Kanu Defence Consortium, condemned the continued detention of the IPOB leader despite a valid Court of Appeal judgment that discharged and acquitted him in 2022.

“Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s detention isn’t just illegal, it’s a national disgrace. The government is disobeying its own courts and mocking the Constitution,” Njoku said.

“On October 13, 2022, the Court of Appeal discharged and acquitted Kanu. That’s final! Yet the DSS still locks him up. That’s pure contempt, defying the rule of law.”

Njoku also accused the Supreme Court of “twisting justice” by reversing the appellate court’s decision, arguing that the apex court’s ruling violated the Doctrine of Finality and Section 36(9) of the Constitution, which forbids double jeopardy.

“Double jeopardy is a crime! Trying him again after an acquittal breaks Section 36(9) of the Constitution. You can’t punish a man twice for the same thing,” he added.

“They’re even charging him under a repealed Terrorism Act of 2013. That law no longer exists, so what are they even trying him for?”

WATCH: Police Fire Tear Gas At Sowore, Clerics, Supporters During #ReleaseNnamdiKanuNow Protest In Abuja pic.twitter.com/s4VGNAsnim

— Sahara Reporters (@SaharaReporters) October 20, 2025

#FreeNnamdiKanuNow: Protest grounds militarised as live bullets, tear gas shot at Sowore, other protesters pic.twitter.com/LdddQjNZll — Sahara Reporters (@SaharaReporters) October 20, 2025