Former Senate President Adolphus Wabara has called for the immediate release of all individuals detained during Monday’s #FreeNnamdiKanuNow peaceful protest in Abuja, condemning the heavy-handed response of security operatives.
The rally, demanding the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), saw clashes between protesters and security forces, with normalcy returning to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) by Tuesday.
A magistrate court in Kuje, Abuja, remanded Emmanuel Kanu, Nnamdi’s brother, and Aloy Ejimakor, his lead counsel, alongside 10 others, on charges of inciting disturbance and breaching public peace.
Court documents revealed the defendants were accused of obstructing traffic, chanting war songs, and denying citizens freedom of movement during the protest.
Kanunta Kanu, another sibling, alleged on X that the arrests reflect a “conspiracy” by the executive, legislature, and judiciary to derail Nnamdi Kanu’s trial scheduled for Thursday.
Wabara denounced the security operatives’ use of teargas and alleged assault on a journalist, whose camera was reportedly destroyed, describing the crackdown as “a serious dent on Nigeria’s global image.”
He urged President Bola Tinubu to rein in security agencies, emphasizing that peaceful protest is a fundamental right.
“The police are required to protect protesters, not clamp down on them,” Wabara stated, citing the ongoing ‘No King Protest’ in the U.S., involving millions, as an example of non-violent demonstration management.
The former Senate President warned that the detention of Emmanuel Kanu and Ejimakor risks escalating tensions in the South-East, where Kanu’s case remains a flashpoint.
He criticized the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government, itself a “product of protests,” for using intimidation against dissenting voices.
Despite a court order and police warnings, activist Omoyele Sowore led Monday’s march, with protesters vowing to continue until Kanu is freed.
By Tuesday, commercial and social activities resumed in Abuja, though a heavy security presence remained to maintain order.
The controversy surrounding the arrests, coupled with allegations of judicial overreach, has intensified scrutiny on Kanu’s detention and Nigeria’s handling of dissent.
As his trial looms, the nation braces for potential further unrest, with Wabara’s call for restraint echoing as a plea for democratic principles.
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