ABUJA ON EDGE AS #FREENNAMDIKANUNOW PROTESTS ROCK THE CAPITAL

Tear gas, traffic gridlock, and defiant chants fill the air as Sowore leads protesters demanding Nnamdi Kanu’s release despite heavy security clampdown.Abuja woke up tense on Monday, October 20, 2025, as the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest took over major parts of the city — from Maitama to the Three Arms Zone. The protest, led by activist Omoyele Sowore, called for the immediate release of detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, who has been in custody since 2021 despite multiple court rulings ordering his release.Security forces — including the police and army — flooded the capital at dawn, erecting barricades, setting up checkpoints, and firing tear gas at demonstrators determined to march toward Aso Rock, Nigeria’s seat of power.Though the authorities had restricted protests to specific areas, organizers insisted their march would remain peaceful and within legal bounds. Still, the morning quickly turned chaotic as police dispersed crowds several times, reportedly using both tear gas and live bullets in a bid to control the swelling movement.By mid-morning, several parts of Abuja were virtually shut down. Motorists were stranded, and traffic stretched for kilometers as officers barricaded key spots, including the NUJ Secretariat, Unity Fountain, and major routes leading to the National Assembly, Force Headquarters, and Eagle Square.Sowore slammed the government’s stance, describing Kanu’s continued detention as “unlawful and embarrassing for a country that claims to uphold the rule of law.”Areas most affected include Transcorp Hilton and Maitama District, where the protests kicked off; the Abuja-Keffi Highway, where gridlock stretched through Kugbo and Nyanya; and satellite communities like Bwari, Dutse, and Kubwa, which experienced ripple effects from the citywide disruptions.Meanwhile, the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria has advised its citizens to avoid protest areas — particularly Eagle Square and the Central Business District (CBD) — and limit all non-essential movement. The Nigeria Police Force and NSCDC have also issued safety warnings, urging residents to steer clear of protest zones, comply with movement restrictions, and cooperate at security checkpoints.Residents have been advised to carry identification, avoid large gatherings, and keep phones charged for emergencies. Schools and domestic staff commuting from outside Abuja have been told to stay home to avoid getting caught in the unrest.For now, Abuja remains on high alert its streets tense, its people anxious, and its message clear: the call to #FreeNnamdiKanuNow has grown louder than ever.