On October 20, 2025, human rights activist Omoyele Sowore, alongside other prominent figures including Nnamdi Kanu, led a protest in Abuja calling for the release of the IPOB leader, who has been in custody despite court rulings. The protest quickly turned chaotic when Nigerian security operatives fired live shots and deployed tear gas to disperse demonstrators, forcing Sowore and others to flee.
The planned demonstration was scheduled to peacefully march towards Aso Rock, the Nigerian Presidential Villa, to demand justice, accountability, and the release of Nnamdi Kanu. Sowore had vowed to defy a Federal High Court order restricting protests around key government buildings, asserting the constitutional right to peaceful assembly and criticizing what he described as double standards in enforcement by security forces.
As crowds gathered, security agencies, including the police and paramilitary officers, used tear gas as an initial measure to disperse protesters. When the protest persisted, operatives escalated the response by firing live bullets into the air and near the crowd, causing panic and forcing prominent leaders and participants to retreat for safety.
Sowore condemned the use of force, describing the attack as unprovoked and an infringement on the rights of peaceful protesters. He argued that the government’s refusal to release Nnamdi Kanu, despite court rulings, exemplifies a broader pattern of unlawful detention and suppression of dissent in Nigeria.
The police justified their actions by citing a Federal High Court order obtained to guard sensitive areas such as Aso Rock, cautioning against unlawful assembly and threats to public order. They maintained that protesters must respect the law and warned of prosecution for those inciting violence or breaking court orders.
This confrontation has intensified grievances over government restrictions on protests and freedom of expression. Civil society groups and international human rights organizations have called for investigations into the use of live ammunition and excessive force against peaceful demonstrators.
The #FreeNnamdiKanu protest spotlights the fragile state of Nigeria’s democratic space and highlights the urgent need for reforms in security and governance. The violent disruption also renewed calls for dialogue between authorities and activists to address the underlying causes of unrest and respect constitutional rights.