On Monday, October 20, 2025, the streets of Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, became the focal point of a tense national debate as protesters gathered to demand the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the embattled leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). The demonstrations, which began early in the morning, quickly escalated into scenes of chaos as police fired tear gas, deployed water cannons, and used electric barriers to disperse the crowds. The incident has sparked criticism from civil society groups, international organizations, and political figures, while authorities defend their actions as necessary law enforcement in the face of mounting unrest.
According to eyewitness accounts and verified video footage reviewed by Reuters, protesters—described as peaceful and unarmed—began assembling as early as 7:00 AM local time. Their demand was singular and clear: the immediate release of Nnamdi Kanu, who has been detained since 2021 on terrorism charges, which he denies. Kanu, a British citizen, has long been a polarizing figure in Nigerian politics, championing the cause of Biafran independence for the country’s southeastern region. IPOB, the group he leads, was designated a terrorist organization by the Nigerian government in 2017, and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network, has been accused of violent acts in recent years, as reported by BBC.
The protests were led by Omoyele Sowore, a prominent activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters. Sowore emphasized the cross-cutting nature of the agitation, stating, according to Premium Times, that the call for Kanu’s release "transcends ethnic and religious divisions." Despite a court order approving the protest, police responded with force at multiple locations across Abuja—including the Three Arms Zone, Maitama, and Jabi. The Three Arms Zone, notably, houses Nigeria’s Presidential Villa, National Assembly, and Court of Appeal, making it a highly sensitive area for demonstrations.
Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, defended the use of tear gas. In a statement posted on his X handle, Hundeyin asserted, "Police tear-gassed protesters attempting to approach Aso Villa in clear contravention of a court order restricting protesters from the Villa, National Assembly, Force Headquarters, Court of Appeal, Eagle Square, and Shehu Shagari Way. We are the country’s foremost law enforcement agency. We carried out our mandate. And we did not block the road but cleared it after it was blocked by the protesters to enable other Nigerians easy passage to their respective destinations." This rationale, as reported by Daily Post, underscores the government’s insistence on maintaining order in areas deemed critical to national security.
Yet, the police response was met with swift condemnation from civil society organizations and international watchdogs. Amnesty International Nigeria criticized the disruption of what they described as peaceful demonstrations, while groups across Lagos, Abuja, and other cities decried the arrests and alleged mistreatment of protesters. Leadership reported that several individuals—including Kanu’s family members and legal team—were detained, though police have not officially commented on these specific arrests.
The crackdown extended beyond protesters to members of the press. According to the Associated Press, a journalist with Agence France-Presse (AFP) was arrested and later released, though their equipment was destroyed in the process. AFP’s Abuja office stated, "There were no protesters at the scene where he was arrested," highlighting concerns about press freedom and the safety of journalists covering contentious events.
Traffic in Abuja ground to a halt as major roads were blocked by both protesters and security forces, leaving commuters stranded and adding to the sense of confusion and urgency that gripped the capital. Reuters verified the location and timing of several eyewitness videos showing police vehicles and tear gas on otherwise empty roads, with one protester’s voice captured saying, "We are not allowed to protest in this country. Look at what’s going on. The police are shooting at protesters – innocent protesters. They don’t carry guns or anything." These scenes, corroborated by satellite imagery and file metadata, painted a vivid picture of the day’s events.
Counter-protesters also made their presence felt. According to Premium Times, some gathered in Abuja holding placards reading, "No Pressure to the Rule of Law," signaling opposition to the demand for Kanu’s release and reflecting the deep divisions within Nigerian society over the IPOB leader’s fate. The Presidency weighed in as well, criticizing Aloy Ejimakor, one of Kanu’s lawyers, for joining the Sowore-led protest—an action seen by some officials as undermining the legal process.
The legal saga surrounding Nnamdi Kanu is as complex as it is contentious. First arrested in October 2015 on charges of terrorism and treason, Kanu jumped bail in 2017 after a military raid on his home and left the country. His bail was revoked in 2019, followed by his re-arrest two years later. His lawyers allege he was detained in Kenya, though Kenyan authorities have not confirmed any involvement in his extradition. An appeal court ordered the charges against him dropped in 2022, but the Supreme Court overturned that decision in 2023, setting the stage for his current trial. Kanu’s legal defense is scheduled to begin on Thursday, October 23, 2025, after the court dismissed his team’s argument that he had no case to answer, as reported by BBC.
For many in southeastern Nigeria, particularly among the Igbo ethnic group, Kanu’s case has become a symbol of longstanding grievances and alleged marginalization by the central government. The agitation for Biafran independence, though controversial and often met with harsh crackdowns, continues to draw passionate support as well as fierce opposition. The events of October 20 have only intensified the debate, with both sides invoking the rule of law and the right to protest as central tenets of their arguments.
As night fell on Abuja, the city’s streets were quieter, but the questions raised by the day’s unrest lingered. What is the path forward for a nation grappling with demands for justice, unity, and the rule of law? The answer, it seems, will depend not only on the outcome of Nnamdi Kanu’s trial but also on the willingness of Nigeria’s leaders and citizens to find common ground amid deep and persistent divisions.