0
0
The Nigerian police have fired tear gas to disperse protesters who gathered in Abuja to demand the release of detained separatist leader Nnamdi Kanu.
The protest began early in the morning, with demonstrators calling for Kanu’s immediate release. Activist Omoyele Sowore was among those present at the rally.
Kanu, who also holds British citizenship, has been in detention since 2021 on terrorism-related charges, which he denies.
Roads Blocked and Arrests Reported
Eyewitnesses said police officers fired several rounds of tear gas at the protesters who had gathered peacefully. Security operatives also blocked major roads in Abuja, causing heavy traffic and confusion in many parts of the city.
Reports from the scene indicate that several individuals, including some of Kanu’s family members and members of his legal team, were arrested. The police have not yet released any official statement regarding the arrests.
Background on Nnamdi Kanu and IPOB
Nnamdi Kanu leads the Indigenous People of Biafra, a group that seeks independence for southeastern Nigeria. IPOB was banned in 2017 and labeled a terrorist organization by the Nigerian government. Its armed wing, known as the Eastern Security Network, has been accused of violent activities in recent years.
Kanu was first arrested in 2015 but fled Nigeria after a military raid on his home in 2017. He was re-arrested in 2021 under controversial circumstances, with his lawyers alleging that he was unlawfully detained in Kenya before being brought back to Nigeria.
Court Cases and Ongoing Trial
In 2022, the Court of Appeal dismissed the charges against Kanu, ruling that his extradition was unlawful. The Supreme Court later overturned that decision in 2023, allowing the trial to continue.
Kanu’s legal team is expected to begin his defense on Thursday after the court ruled that he has a case to answer.
Kanu’s Continued Influence
Despite his prolonged detention and legal battles, Nnamdi Kanu remains a highly influential figure, particularly in southeastern Nigeria. Many of his supporters view him as a voice for justice and self-determination.
The Nigerian government, however, insists that IPOB’s activities threaten national peace and security.
The Biafran Movement
The push for Biafran independence traces back to the Nigerian Civil War from 1967 to 1970, when the region attempted to secede as the Republic of Biafra. The war claimed more than a million lives, mostly due to starvation and disease.
Today, the movement for self-determination continues, with Kanu and IPOB at the center of renewed calls for a separate Biafran nation.
