KEY POINTS

• #FreeNnamdiKanu protesters plan to march on the Presidential Villa.

• Court bars protests near key government locations in Abuja.

• Security agencies deploy forces nationwide to prevent violence.

A tense standoff looms in Abuja as organisers of the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest vowed to proceed with their planned march on the Presidential Villa, despite a court injunction barring them from doing so.

The demonstration, set for Monday, seeks the release of detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu.

Protesters defy injunction over #FreeNnamdiKanu rally

A Federal High Court in Abuja last week issued an interim order restraining the group from protesting near the Villa, the National Assembly, and other sensitive government sites. The order followed an ex parte application by the Nigeria Police Force on behalf of the Federal Government.

Justice Mohammed Umar’s ruling explicitly barred the organisers, led by human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore, from gathering around the Aso Rock Villa, Force Headquarters, the Court of Appeal, Eagle Square, and Shehu Shagari Way. The injunction will remain effective pending the substantive hearing scheduled for today.

However, organisers say the restriction will not deter them. Damilare Adenola, Director of Mobilisation for the Take It Back Movement, said the protests will proceed as planned in Abuja and simultaneously across several southeastern states. “Marching peacefully anywhere in the country is our constitutionally guaranteed right,” he said. “There is no going back on our resolve.”

Nationwide mobilisation gains political backing

The #FreeNnamdiKanu movement has drawn support from major opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi. Both leaders urged the Federal Government to open dialogue rather than rely on force or prolonged detention.

Obi reiterated his position that Kanu’s arrest was unnecessary, arguing that discussion and negotiation remain the only sustainable path to resolving separatist grievances. “I will consult and negotiate with anyone who is agitating,” he said, commending Sowore’s commitment to civic advocacy.

Meanwhile, Sowore told journalists that more than 115 lawyers, medical staff, and media personnel have been mobilised to support the protest. He said the nationwide campaign had gained momentum, spreading through marketplaces, religious centres, and even diaspora networks. “Expect a large, disciplined turnout in Abuja and coordinated actions across multiple states and embassies,” he said.

Legal representatives remain divided over the demonstrations. Senior Advocate of Nigeria Onyechi Ikpeazu said his focus is on the court process, not street action. Another counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, openly endorsed the protest and confirmed his participation, calling it a legitimate civic right.

Security agencies tighten control around key locations

Security agencies are on alert across the country. The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) warned protesters against vandalising public or private property, pledging a firm but nonviolent approach to crowd control. FCT Commandant Olusola Odumosu said personnel had been deployed to strategic areas to protect infrastructure and prevent unrest.

“The corps will not condone any destruction or theft in the name of protest,” Odumosu said, emphasising that officers would respect peaceful assembly while resisting criminal infiltration.

The Nigerian Correctional Service declared all correctional centres nationwide as “red zones,” warning the public to stay clear of prisons during the protests. “Correctional facilities are restricted areas, and any attempt to breach them will be treated as a serious threat,” spokesman Umar Abubakar said in a Sunday statement.

According to Punch, Kanu, who faces terrorism and treason charges, has been in custody since his controversial extradition from Kenya in 2021. While his supporters describe his detention as political persecution, the Federal Government maintains he must face justice for advocating Biafra’s secession. His trial continues, and a recent medical review declared him fit to stand trial.