A combined team of security and defence officers has reportedly broken up a demonstration organised by Omoyele Sowore and his group of #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protesters in Abuja’s Maitama district.
Participants in the protest, including Sowore, Barr. Aloy Ejimakor, and several others, had assembled near the headquarters of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in Maitama, chanting “Free Nnamdi Kanu Now”.
“I’m in front of Transcorp Hilton with a mammoth crowd that gathered for #MNKOct20, and the police just exploded tear gas. My eyes and throat hurt. They’re scattering everywhere,” Ejimakor wrote.
Nigerian Newssphere reports that the protesters had converged to demand the release of Nnamdi Kanu, who has been in the custody of the Department of State Services, DSS, since June 2021.
The rally was part of renewed calls by his supporters for the Federal Government to comply with previous court rulings ordering Kanu’s release.
Omoyele Sowore, human rights activist and organiser of the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest, has escaped gunshots at the protest grounds.
Newssphere reports security operatives comprising police and military officers took over the protest grounds at about 7am on Monday morning.
Sowore and others run for their lives as police fire shoots
In a viral video, Sowore could be seen running for his alongside other protesters.
The protesters intended to march to Aso Rock Villa to demand the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra.
The Nigeria Police Force had warned the organisers against staging any protest near the Villa.
