Tension escalated in Abuja on Monday as operatives of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command allegedly attacked human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, and other protesters demanding the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Sowore, who led members of the Take It Back Movement and other civil society groups to the FCT Police Command, was reportedly assaulted while seeking the release of Kanu’s lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, and his brother, Fineboy Kanu, who had been arrested earlier during the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest.
We relocated to the @FCT_PoliceNG command today to ensure the unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu’s brother, Fineboy, his lawyer, Barrister @AloyEjimakor Ejimakor, and 11 others who were arrested and tortured for participating in #FreeNnamdiKanuNow peaceful protest. While we… pic.twitter.com/EO4pfJ1LBT
— Omoyele Sowore (@sowore) October 20, 2025
In a statement shared on his verified social media handles, Sowore said the group relocated to the police headquarters after learning of the arrests.
“We moved to the FCT Police Command to demand the unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu’s brother, Fineboy, his lawyer, Barrister Aloy Ejimakor, and 11 others arrested and tortured for participating in the peaceful protest,” Sowore wrote.
He alleged that police officers at the command attacked the protesters during their peaceful demonstration.
“While we were there, we began another phase of our protest, and the police responded by attacking us right in front of the command,” he said.
Sowore further accused the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, of directing that the detained protesters be interrogated and possibly detained further.
“We were informed that the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, ordered that they be ‘interviewed’ and possibly detained. This will not stand,” he added.
The protest, which has spread to several cities, seeks the immediate and unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu, who has been in detention since his re-arrest in 2021 despite multiple court rulings ordering his release.
Earlier, SaharaReporters reported that the police had arrested Ejimakor, Prince Emmanuel Kanu, and other supporters during the demonstration in Abuja.
Confirming the development, Ejimakor posted on X (formerly Twitter):
“We’ve just been arrested. Myself, Prince Emmanuel, Fineboy, and others. We are at FCT Command CID, No. 1 Zaria Street, Garki 2, Abuja.”
Kanu’s brother, Kanunta Kanu, also confirmed the arrests, describing them as “illegal” and demanding their immediate release.
“It is their right to protest,” he said.
Earlier in the day, security operatives fired several rounds of tear gas to disperse protesters gathered near the Transcorp Hilton area and Maitama district of Abuja. Eyewitnesses said the tear gas also affected passersby, traders, and commuters who were caught in the chaos.
“There were no protesters yet; people were just going about their business when the police started firing tear gas,” one witness said.
Security forces, including police, soldiers, and operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), were deployed to strategic parts of the capital, including the Three Arms Zone, Eagle Square, Unity Fountain, and routes leading to the Presidential Villa.
The heavy security presence followed warnings issued by the Nigeria Police Force on Sunday, cautioning organisers to “stay clear of restricted areas.”
Despite the warnings, Sowore and other organisers vowed to continue their demonstration, accusing President Bola Tinubu’s administration of ignoring court orders and violating fundamental human rights.
