Nigerian police fired tear gas and deployed water cannons in Abuja on Monday to disperse protesters demanding the release of separatist leader Nnamdi Kanu, who remains in detention on terrorism-related charges. Kanu, leader of the banned Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), is facing trial over his role in advocating for secession from Nigeria’s southeast, as reported by Reuters.
Security forces blocked several major roads in the capital and detained dozens of demonstrators, along with at least one journalist, after crowds attempted to gather despite warnings against unauthorised protests. The incident led to traffic disruptions and heightened tensions across the city, AP News reported.
Kanu’s prolonged detention since 2021 and his upcoming trial have reignited public anger, particularly in Nigeria’s southeast, where memories of the Biafran civil war still run deep. Human rights groups have criticised the government’s heavy-handed response, warning that it risks further inflaming regional grievances. The Star reported that the government has defended the crackdown as necessary to maintain peace and prevent violence.
Analysts say the protests underscore growing political and security risks in Africa’s largest economy, with implications for investor confidence. While authorities insist on preserving national stability, observers warn that sustained civil unrest could deter investment and slow Nigeria’s already fragile economic recovery.
