In Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, police deployed tear gas to disperse a demonstration organized by activists demanding the immediate release of Nnamdi Kanu. Kanu, a prominent separatist leader and head of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (Ipob), has been in detention since 2021 and faces terrorism charges, which he denies. He also holds British citizenship.
Ipob advocates for the independence of Biafra, a region in southeastern Nigeria. The protest, reportedly led by activist Omoyele Sowore, saw demonstrators gathering early in the morning. Eyewitnesses reported that police used tear gas to disperse the crowd, while also blocking key roads and causing significant traffic disruptions across the city.
Reports also suggest that several individuals, including members of Kanu’s family and his legal team, were arrested during the proceedings. The police have yet to issue a comment on these alleged arrests. Kanu, despite his ongoing legal battles, maintains a considerable following and is viewed as a hero by many, particularly in southeastern Nigeria.
The legal team for Nnamdi Kanu is expected to begin presenting their defence this week after a court dismissed their earlier argument that there was no case to answer. Ipob itself was outlawed in 2017, and its armed wing has been implicated in violent incidents.
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