The Igbo Women Assembly (IWA) has called for the immediate and unconditional release of Prince Emmanuel Kanu, younger brother to detained IPOB leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, along with his lawyer, Chief Aloy Ejimakor, and other protesters arrested during the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow rally in Abuja on October 20.
Speaking in an interview, IWA’s National President, Lolo Nneka Chimezie, condemned the arrests, describing them as a blatant act of injustice and a worrying sign that Nigeria under the All Progressives Congress (APC) is “becoming worse than military dictatorship.”
Chimezie urged the Inspector General of Police to order the release of those detained, warning that silencing peaceful protesters violates citizens’ constitutional rights.
She added that using security forces to suppress civic expression could worsen tension across the South East.
“The government must not provoke unrest through the misuse of power,” she said. “Those in authority should be careful not to let things spiral out of control.”
Recounting her experience at the protest, Chimezie said she was among those attacked by security operatives.
“They manhandled protesters. I was at the rally. And I was directly teargassed. At a point, live ammunition was also fired. That’s very wrong. A number of protesters, including Kanu’s brother, Emmanuel, and lawyer, Ejimakor, were arrested,” she said.
“We call on the police and other security agencies to release every protester they arrested because it’s our constitutional right to protest.”
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The IWA leader accused the APC of hypocrisy, reminding the ruling party of its own history of protests before coming to power in 2015.
“The APC, which is a product of protests, does not want to hear about protests anymore.
“During the build-up to the 2014 election, it led many demonstrations against the PDP-led government of President Goodluck Jonathan, and Jonathan never used federal might against them. They spread propaganda, yet nobody harassed or clamped down on them,” she said.
She urged President Bola Tinubu to show restraint and engage citizens instead of silencing dissent.
“President Tinubu should know that the APC government under his watch is becoming worse than military dictatorship,” she said.
“He should not take the people for granted. Pushing Nigerians too hard could lead to a situation the government may not manage.
“Government should negotiate with protesters and listen to the people. Nnamdi Kanu has done nothing to justify his continued detention,” she added.
Lolo Chimezie ended by calling on President Tinubu to instruct security operatives to stop clamping down on peaceful citizens.
She warned that the government’s current approach could deepen mistrust and unrest if not urgently reversed.