Again, Police Threaten To Arrest, Deal Ruthlessly With #FreeNnamdiKanuNow Protesters
The Nigeria Police Force has again threatened to arrest and deal ruthlessly with human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, and other #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protester found near the Presidential Villa on Monday, October 20.
The police claimed coming to the Aso Rock Villa would be in violation of a subsisting court order.
The warning followed an order of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, delivered on October 17, 2025, by Justice M.G. Umar in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2202/2025 — Federal Republic of Nigeria v. Omoyele Sowore & 4 others.
However, reacting to the court ruling approving the planned protest, the police, in a statement issued on Saturday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, reaffirmed their commitment to enforcing the court’s order and maintaining public order in the Federal Capital Territory.
“The directive remains binding and enforceable,” the statement read.
“The Nigeria Police Force recognises and respects the rights of citizens to peaceful assembly and expression.
“However, such rights must be exercised responsibly and within the limits of the law, particularly where public safety, national security, and the rights of other citizens are concerned.”
The Force warned that any protester or group attempting to defy the order by staging demonstrations near restricted zones would face arrest and prosecution.
It further cautioned that those who exploit protests to instigate violence, vandalise property, or incite others online would be subjected to “full investigation and prosecution under relevant criminal laws,” including those relating to terrorism and public order.
“Any person or group that uses protests as cover to incite violence, carry or use offensive weapons, vandalise public or private property, kidnap, or engage in acts likely to cause loss of life or serious injury will be dealt with decisively,” Hundeyin warned.
“Those who incite others via social media or other platforms should note that digital evidence will be used in investigations and prosecutions.”
He noted that the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, had directed the FCT Commissioner of Police and other operational commands to ensure strict enforcement of the court order, maintain visible deployments around strategic areas, and guarantee the safety of residents and lawful activities in the FCT.
The Force also advised protesters and counter-protesters to avoid restricted areas, refrain from carrying weapons or engaging in provocative conduct, and to channel grievances through lawful avenues instead of street demonstrations.
Naija News House earlier reported that the court granted approval for the planned #FreeNnamdiKanu protest, but restricted demonstrators from marching to or assembling near key national institutions, including Aso Rock Villa, the National Assembly, Force Headquarters, the Court of Appeal, Eagle Square, and Shehu Shagari Way.
The ruling, delivered on Friday, October 17, 2025, by Hon. Justice M. G. Umar, followed a motion ex parte filed by the Nigerian government through the Nigeria Police Force under Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/2202/2025.
The case, titled Federal Republic of Nigeria vs Omoyele Sowore, Sahara Reporters Ltd, Sahara Reporters Media Foundation, Take It Back Movement (TIB), and Unknown Persons, sought an interim order to restrict protesters from accessing sensitive government zones in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
In the motion supported by an affidavit sworn to by Bassey Ibithan, a police officer attached to the Directorate of Legal Services at the Force Headquarters, the government argued that the protest could threaten national security if allowed to take place near restricted government areas.
After hearing arguments from government counsel Wisdom Madaki, Esq., and Joseph Anzaku, Esq., Justice Umar granted the interim order but affirmed that the right to peaceful assembly remains protected, provided the demonstrators steer clear of the prohibited areas.
Meanwhile, the court also directed that the respondents, including activist Omoyele Sowore and the Take It Back Movement, be served with the order immediately and appear for a hearing on Monday, October 20, 2025, to respond to the government’s motion.
It was earlier reported that the Nigeria Police Force also issued a directive ordering heightened security measures across the country ahead of planned demonstrations on Monday, October 20, 2025, calling for the unconditional release of detained Biafran leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
The wireless message, issued by the Force Headquarters in Abuja and circulated to zonal and command levels nationwide, warned that some “unscrupulous elements” had finalized plans to stage protests in the Federal Capital Territory that may spread to other states.
The directive, obtained by SaharaReporters on Saturday, instructed commanders to deploy covert personnel, keep tactical units on standby in full kit, confine other officers to barracks where necessary, and begin the orders with effect from Sunday, October 19, until further notice.
The police also ordered hourly situation reports from commands.
Naija News House on Friday reported that Justice Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja refused to grant the Nigeria Police Force’s application seeking to stop the “Free Nnamdi Kanu Now” protest scheduled for Monday, October 20, 2025.
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, had dispatched police lawyers to the court to move an ex parte motion against activist and protest organizer, Omoyele Sowore, in a bid to legally preempt the planned demonstration near the Aso Rock Villa.
However, the Judge declined to grant the motion, which sought to restrain the protest from taking place without hearing from the opposing side.
Justice Umar instead instructed the police to formally serve notice of their application on Sowore and adjourned the case until Tuesday for a proper, contested hearing.
