The #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest took an unexpected turn on Monday after activist Omoyele Sowore reportedly handed over Prince Emmanuel Kanu, the younger brother of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, and his lawyer Aloy Ejimakor to police officers who had been deployed to prevent the demonstration in Abuja.
A video shared on X (formerly Twitter) by user @General_Somto showed policemen assaulting and arresting Emmanuel Kanu before taking him to the Federal Capital Territory Police Command.
According to reports, the police fired live bullets and teargas to disperse protesters demanding Nnamdi Kanu’s release. The incident caused tension and disrupted traffic around the Central Business District. Major routes in the city were barricaded, leading to heavy congestion and confusion among commuters.
The protest was aimed at calling for the freedom of the detained IPOB leader, who has been in Department of State Services (DSS) custody since his arrest in June 2021.
Before the demonstration, the Nigeria Police Force had warned that certain areas in Abuja were off-limits for protests. Police spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin explained that a Federal High Court order prohibited gatherings near major government institutions, including Aso Rock, the National Assembly, and Eagle Square.
Kanu’s ongoing trial on terrorism charges continues at the Federal High Court, Abuja, while Sowore and other activists insist on his unconditional release.