Our Reporter, Abuja
Human rights activist and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, on Monday made good his threat by leading protesters in Abuja to demand the immediate release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
The protest, which began as early as 7 a.m., was part of a nationwide call tagged “Free Nnamdi Kanu Now” — an action Sowore described as a fight for justice and not a tribal or religious agitation.
In his address during the march, Sowore accused Nigerian security agencies of unleashing violence on peaceful protesters instead of confronting bandits and terrorists ravaging the country.
“We started as early as 7 a.m., but as is customary with our security forces, the attack was unprovoked,” Sowore said.
“We decided to relocate to other parts of the city. We are in Utako and will go around this city today until it is shut down or they free Nnamdi Kanu.”
He condemned what he termed “the misuse of soldiers” against unarmed citizens.
“Instead of using soldiers in Sambisa, Zamfara, Katsina, Benue and other troubled places, they are using them on defenseless protesters,” he said.
Sowore also noted that the rally coincided with the fifth anniversary of the #EndSARS protests, which he described as one of the darkest chapters in Nigeria’s history.
The activist called for a minute of silence in honour of those killed during the 2020 #EndSARS protests at the Lekki Toll Gate, saying: “May their souls continue to pursue their oppressors.”
He stressed that the agitation for Kanu’s release transcended ethnic and religious lines, insisting it was a struggle for social justice and human dignity.
“Nnamdi Kanu now — it is not a tribal issue, it’s not religious, it isn’t sentimental. It’s social justice for us,” Sowore declared.
“We are not here as Igbos, Yorubas or Hausas. In fact, if you look around, there are a lot of Hausas and Igbos all united to ensure that our brother in handcuffs is freed.”
The activist described Kanu’s ongoing trial at the Federal High Court as “a sham” and warned that continued repression would only intensify public anger and resistance.
“If they don’t end this sham trial, they will get more,” he said.
“There’s hunger and starvation in this country. There’s political oppression. Very soon, this crowd you see will be bigger than that of Nepal. Let people keep moving. Free Nnamdi Kanu now.”
The protest caused traffic disruptions in parts of Abuja, with demonstrators waving placards bearing inscriptions such as “Justice for Nnamdi Kanu,” “End Oppression Now,” and “Nigeria Must Be Free.”
Sowore’s remarks come amid renewed calls from rights groups, legal experts, and political leaders for the Federal Government to comply with court orders freeing the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, and to pursue dialogue rather than repression.
