Normalcy returns to Abuja after #FreeNnamdiKanuNow# protest

Former Senate President, Adolphus Wabara, has demanded the immediate release of all protesters arrested during Monday’s #FreeNnamdiKanuNow# peaceful rally in Abuja.

This was as normalcy returned to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), after the fracas between security operatives and protesters calling on the government to free detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

Meanwhile, a magistrate court sitting in Kuje, Abuja, has remanded Emmanuel Kanu, the IPOB leader’s brother, alongside his lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor.

Wabara strongly condemned the action of some security operatives who fired teargas canisters at peaceful protesters. He also frowned on the alleged manhandling of a journalist covering the protest whose camera was reportedly broken by some security operatives.

Describing the intimidation and arrest of peaceful protesters as “a serious dent on Nigeria’s global image”, Wabara urged President Bola Tinubu to call the security agencies to order.

According to the former Senate President, the arrest of Kanu’s younger brother, Emmanuel, and lawyer,  Ejimakor, among others, will only aggravate the already tense situation in the South-East.

“It is the fundamental right of citizens to hold peaceful protests,” Wabara said, noting that the police were required to provide protection for protesters, and not to clamp down on them.

Citing the ongoing ‘No King Protest’ involving about seven million people in the United States of America, “where there are no incidents of molestation or brutality”, Wabara challenged the Nigerian security operatives to learn from their U.S. counterparts.

He accused the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government, which he said “is a product of protests”, of using intimidation and brute force against dissenting voices.

Kanunta Kanu, another sibling of the IPOB leader, disclosed the remand of the protesters in a post on X, alleging a coordinated attempt by the executive, legislative and judicial arms of government to frustrate Kanu’s trial scheduled for Thursday.

“The magistrate sitting in Kuje remanded Ejimakor, the lead counsel in Kanu’s case and Emmanuel Kanu, his youngest brother. This is a conspiracy from the executive, legislature and judiciary to frustrate Kanu’s trial on Thursday,” Kanuta Kanu posted on X.

The police had arraigned Ejimakor, Kanu, and 10 others over a protest held in Abuja on Monday.

Court documents shared by the former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Prof Chidi Odinkalu, on X, show that the defendants were charged with inciting disturbance and breach of public peace.

According to the charge sheet, the suspects allegedly obstructed the free flow of traffic, denied other citizens their right to movement, and chanted war songs while demanding the release of Kanu.

Yesterday morning, our correspondent who went round Abuja confirmed that commercial and social activities had resumed after Monday’s protests.

The heavy presence of police and other security personnel that dominated the streets on Monday was still there to maintain law and order.

The protesters had vowed to continue their demonstrations until Kanu is released from detention.

Activist Omoyele Sowore led the march on Monday despite a court order and police warning.