Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has called for the immediate release of protesters arrested on Monday morning during the ongoing #FreeNnamdiKanuNow demonstrations in Abuja.
In a post on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, Sowore accused the Federal Capital Territory Police Command (@FCT_PoliceNG) of illegally arresting, torturing, and detaining protesters, including Barrister Aloy Ejimakor, one of the lead counsels for the detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, and activist Fineboy Kanu.
“The @FCT_PoliceNG is instructed to release Barrister @AloyEjimakor, Fineboy Kanu, and others illegally arrested, tortured, and currently being forced into detention over the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest immediately, or we will mobilize the entire crew now on the street to the FCT command and occupy their office!” Sowore wrote.
The #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest, which began early Monday morning in Abuja, saw protesters gather peacefully to demand the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who has been in custody since 2021.
Despite a recent court injunction restricting protests around sensitive government locations such as the Presidential Villa, National Assembly, Force Headquarters, and Eagle Square, demonstrators were seen marching through parts of the Central Business District carrying placards and chanting solidarity songs before police reportedly dispersed them.
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Eyewitnesses said several protesters were arrested and taken away in police vehicles.
Sowore, who has been leading the campaign online and on ground, condemned the arrests, insisting the movement is peaceful and constitutionally protected.
As of press time, the FCT Police Command had not issued an official statement regarding the arrests or the allegations of torture.
The protest coincides with the fifth anniversary of the #EndSARS demonstrations, a symbolic date that organisers say represents the continued struggle for justice, accountability, and civil liberties in Nigeria.