Police operatives on Monday arrested Prince Emmanuel Kanu, the younger brother of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, alongside his lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, during a #FreeNnamdiKanu protest in Abuja organised by activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore.
Ejimakor confirmed the arrest in a post on his X handle, stating that they were detained alongside several other protesters and taken to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command Criminal Investigation Department (CID) located at No. 1 Zaria Street, Garki 2, Abuja.
He wrote: “We’ve just been arrested. Myself, Prince Emmanuel and others. We are at FCT Command CID. Myself, Fine Boy and others.”
The #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest, spearheaded by Sowore, was aimed at demanding the release of Nnamdi Kanu, who has been in detention since 2021 following his arrest and extradition from Kenya.
However, tension erupted when police and other security operatives reportedly opened fire and released teargas to disperse the peaceful demonstrators who were marching towards the Presidential Villa.
A viral video captured protesters, including Sowore, fleeing as gunshots rang out. Sowore later alleged on X that security forces fired live bullets at “harmless protesters,” accusing the Nigeria Police Force of brutality and unprovoked violence.
He wrote: “The @PoliceNG team deployed to brutalize #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protesters arrested Nnamdi Kanu’s brother and his lawyer, @AloyEjimakor, as well as innocent bystanders. They were beaten and taken to the FCT command. The police must release them immediately!”
According to Sowore, the protesters were peaceful and orderly before the security personnel stormed the area in about 10 trucks. “There was no provocation on our part; it was orderly and peaceful. It was an unprovoked attack from the police force and a combined team of security people,” he added.
The police authorities have yet to release an official statement regarding the arrests or the alleged use of live ammunition at the protest.
The protest marks yet another chapter in the ongoing agitation for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, whose detention has continued to spark nationwide debate over human rights, freedom of expression, and the rule of law in Nigeria.
