The Nigeria Police Power has cautioned all teams planning protests in Abuja to strictly adjust to a court docket order proscribing demonstrations in key components of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
This got here amid requires protests by activists and members of pro-Biafra teams planning demonstrations on 20 October to demand the discharge of the detained Separatist chief of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
Mr Kanu is standing trial for treason, and the federal government accuses him and his group, IPOB, of killing and kidnapping lots of of individuals in south-east Nigeria. Mr Kanu, who’s advocating for an impartial state of Biafra for Igbos, had prior to now publicly referred to as on IPOB members to hold out assaults on authorities services and kill individuals who disagree with him. Nevertheless, he has pleaded not responsible to the fees filed by the federal government.
Organisers of the protest to demand Mr Kanu’s launch, led by activist Omoyele Sowore, stated it might be peaceable, however there are issues inside authorities circles over doable disruptions to public order within the Nigerian capital.
PREMIUM TIMES reported {that a} federal court docket in Abuja on Friday authorized the protest however informed demonstrators to not go to some authorities buildings, together with the Presidential Villa and the Nationwide Meeting advanced.
Whereas the police maintained that the court docket’s directive was meant to stop a breakdown of regulation and order, critics have expressed concern that the measure may restrict residents’ freedom of meeting and expression.
The police’s stance
The police stated they’d obey the court docket order and permit the protest to carry, however warned that anybody discovered violating the order or making an attempt to hijack protests for violent functions would face extreme authorized penalties.
In an announcement issued on Saturday by police spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin, the police reaffirmed their dedication to upholding the rule of regulation and defending residents’ rights in accordance with constitutional provisions.
The Courtroom Order
On Friday, on the Federal Excessive Courtroom, Abuja Division, Justice M.G. Umar gave the order in Go well with No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2202/2025 — Federal Republic of Nigeria v. Omoyele Sowore & 4 others.
The order restrains Mr Sowore and different respondents, in addition to any teams appearing below their instruction, from staging protests inside and round Aso Rock Villa, the Nationwide Meeting Complicated, Power Headquarters, the Courtroom of Enchantment, Eagle Sq., and Shehu Shagari Manner.
Whereas acknowledging the correct of residents to peaceable meeting and expression, the police emphasised that such rights have to be exercised responsibly and throughout the limits of the regulation, particularly the place nationwide safety and public security are involved.
“The court docket’s intervention serves as a safeguard, not a suppression of constitutional freedoms,” the assertion stated, urging all teams, together with these agitating for or in opposition to the discharge of Nnamdi Kanu, to respect the directive pending additional judicial proceedings.
The Inspector-Basic of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has directed the FCT Commissioner of Police and related instructions to make sure strict enforcement of the order, based on the assertion.
Safety operatives have been instructed to take care of seen and strategic deployments round delicate areas to make sure peace, free motion, and safety of lives and property.
The police warned that any individual or group “that makes use of protests as cowl to incite violence, carry or use offensive weapons, vandalise public or non-public property, kidnap or have interaction in acts more likely to trigger lack of life or critical damage will likely be handled decisively.”
“Offenders will likely be arrested, subjected to full investigation, and prosecuted below related prison legal guidelines — together with legal guidelines regarding public order, violent conduct and terrorism the place relevant,” the police added, noting those that “incite others through social media or different platforms ought to be aware that digital proof will likely be utilized in investigations and prosecutions.”
Pressure
The police have assured residents of sufficient safety preparations and urged “law-abiding Nigerians to go about their regular actions with out concern.”
However there’s pressure as native and worldwide observers warned of doable disruptions of regulation and order.
The US Embassy in Abuja feared that there is likely to be roadblocks, visitors congestion, and confrontations between police and protestors that might flip violent.
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“The Embassy advises all U.S. residents to keep away from this space and to severely restrict all motion all through the town on Monday, October twentieth,” it wrote in a security alert. “The Embassy recommends youngsters in Abuja keep house from faculty and home employees that journey from outdoors of Abuja to remain house as effectively.”
Equally, the Nationwide Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) warned Nigerian youths to “keep out of hassle” and to not take part within the protest.
