By Prosper Mene
Abuja, Nigeria – October 20, 2025
Igbo women are calling for the immediate release of Prince Emmanuel Kanu, brother of jailed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu, his lawyer Barrister Aloy Ejimakor, and other activists arrested during a protest in Abuja today.
The #FreeNnamdiKanuNow march, led by activist Omoyele Sowore, demanded the government free Kanu, who has been detained for four years despite a court ruling that his arrest in 2021 was illegal.
Police used tear gas and blocked roads to stop the protest near the Presidential Villa, arresting at least eight people, including Kanu’s brother and lawyer, near the Transcorp Hilton Hotel. Sowore condemned the arrests, saying the detainees were beaten and taken to the FCT Police Command. He demanded their immediate release.
The Igbo Women Assembly (IWA) and American Veterans of Igbo Descent (AVID) led the outcry, calling Kanu a “freedom fighter” and slamming the government for ignoring court orders. AVID’s Dr. Sylvester Onyia said Kanu’s detention is unlawful and urged the release of all those arrested. The IWA vowed to mobilize more women for future protests, praising support from figures like Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi.
Protesters carried signs reading “Obey the Courts: Free Nnamdi Kanu Now” and sang for peace, but police cited a court order limiting protests near key sites like Aso Rock. Some, like presidential aide Bayo Onanuga, criticized the activists, while others, including lawyer Inibehe Effiong, defended their right to protest.
The women’s groups warned that if the detainees are not freed soon, they will escalate protests across Nigeria and beyond. They argue that Kanu’s detention, while his health worsens, risks further unrest in the Southeast. More actions are planned in Lagos, Enugu, and abroad as the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow movement grows.
The arrests have caused widespread outrage on social media, with hashtags like #FreeNnamdiKanuNow and #JusticeForIPOB trending across platforms.
Activists and supporters are sharing videos of the protest, showing police firing tear gas and detaining peaceful demonstrators. The IWA has called on the international community, including the United Nations and human rights organizations, to pressure the Nigerian government to respect judicial rulings and release Kanu and his supporters.
Meanwhile, community leaders in the Southeast are urging calm but firm action. “We cannot sit back while our sons and daughters are treated like criminals for demanding justice,” said Chief Ada Okoye, a prominent IWA member. She announced plans for a women-led vigil in Aba next week to keep the pressure on. As tensions rise, the government faces growing scrutiny over its handling of the IPOB issue, with many warning that continued detentions could deepen divisions in Nigeria.
