ALBAWABA- Nigerian security forces fired tear gas and arrested dozens of demonstrators on Monday, October 20, 2025, as protests erupted demanding the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the banned Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) separatist group.
The clashes took place outside the Federal High Court in Abuja, where Kanu was scheduled for a hearing in his long-running trial on charges of terrorism and treasonable felony.
Armed police, backed by water cannons and armored vehicles, patrolled central districts, blocked major roads, and dispersed crowds with tear gas as protesters sought to gather near government buildings.
Witnesses described chaotic scenes, with demonstrators chanting for Kanu’s freedom and waving Biafran flags, a symbol of the southeastern region’s push for independence. At least 20 protesters were detained for public disorder, and several required medical attention for tear gas exposure.
The protests were organized by activist Omoyele Sowore, former presidential candidate and publisher of Sahara Reporters, who mobilized supporters via social media. Sowore condemned the police response as an “assault on democratic rights,” arguing that Kanu’s prolonged detention without a fair trial violates human rights standards.
Police spokesperson Olumuyiwa Adejobi defended the measures, saying they were necessary to maintain public order and prevent potential violence, citing IPOB’s history of unrest. The demonstrations disrupted traffic in Abuja’s business district, prompting some offices to close early.
Kanu, 57, has been in custody since June 2021, following his dramatic arrest in Kenya and extradition to Nigeria. As IPOB’s founder, he advocates for the secession of Nigeria’s Igbo-dominated southeast to revive the Republic of Biafra, a short-lived state whose 1967–1970 civil war claimed over a million lives.
The Nigerian government designated IPOB a terrorist organization in 2017, linking it to attacks on security forces and infrastructure, though Kanu denies involvement in violence. His trial has faced repeated delays, including health concerns cited by his lawyers, who claim his detention worsens pre-existing heart conditions.
