‘Crack Down’ On #FreeNnamdiKanuNow Protesters; IGP Orders FCT Police
Ahead of #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest scheduled for Monday, October 20, 2025, human rights activist and pro-democracy campaigner Omoyele Sowore has cautioned the Nigeria Police Force against any attempt to use force or intimidation against peaceful demonstrators.
In a post on his X account on Sunday, Sowore alleged that despite being out of the country, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, had directed the newly appointed Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory, CP Miller Dantawaye, to adopt a “heavy-handed approach” to the planned march.
“Even though illegal Inspector-General Kayode Egbetokun has skipped town and is reportedly attending an international conference in the US, credible sources indicate he instructed the new Commissioner of Police for the FCT, CP Miller Dantawaye, to adopt a heavy-handed approach to tomorrow’s peaceful #FreeNnamdiKanuNow march,” Sowore wrote.
He urged the FCT police chief and all officers of the Nigeria Police Force to uphold their constitutional duty to protect citizens and respect the right to peaceful assembly.
“We are calling on CP Dantawaye and every officer of the Nigeria Police Force @policeng to uphold their oath of allegiance to Nigerians, protect citizens, and respect the inalienable right to peaceful assembly,” he said.
Sowore also warned against the use of excessive force or unlawful arrests during the march, stressing that any attempt at brutality would not go unpunished.
“Any use of excessive force or unlawful arrests will attract repercussions,” he wrote.
“The Nigerian people will hold accountable those who attempt brutality swiftly. Times are changing fast, and our citizens have been taken advantage of for too long. #FreeNnamdiKanuNow #MNKOct20.”
The planned protest aims to demand the unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) following his abduction and extraordinary rendition from Kenya in June 2021.
Naija News House reported on Monday, October 13, that Sowore had commenced mobilisation for the planned October 20 #FreeNnamdiKanu march protest at the Presidential Villa, demanding the immediate and unconditional release of the detained IPOB leader.
Sowore, on Thursday, October 9, announced October 20 as the date for a protest march to the Presidential Villa (Aso Rock), Abuja, to demand the release of Kanu.
On Tuesday, October 7, Sowore called on political leaders and other stakeholders from the South-East region to join him in a peaceful march to the Presidential Villa, Abuja, to demand the immediate release of the IPOB leader.
In a post on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Sowore had written, “I will set aside my differences with some politicians for one cause.
“I challenge every politician or person of good conscience from the Southeast who says they want Nnamdi Kanu released to stop the rhetoric. Time for action is NOW. Let’s march to the Aso Rock Villa.”
Sowore urged prominent figures from the region, including governors, lawmakers, traditional and religious leaders, to take concrete steps beyond verbal support for Kanu’s release.
He specifically tagged Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Abia State Governor Alex Otti, and former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, challenging them to join in the protest.
Sowore stressed that the march would be peaceful and lawful, aimed at demanding justice and an end to what he described as the persecution of Nnamdi Kanu.
Since the renewed campaign for Kanu’s release, the movement has attracted broad support, including from Abia State lawmakers, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, MASSOB founder Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, and Kanu’s special counsel, Barrister Aloy Ejimakor.
