Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore has accused the Nigeria Police Force of resorting to “panic-driven measures” after allegedly failing to obtain a legitimate court order to stop the upcoming #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest scheduled for October 20.
In a post shared via his verified X (formerly Twitter) account on Friday, Sowore claimed that in Ondo State, police authorities have directed officers believed to be sympathetic to the movement to remain confined within their barracks.
He described the move as “a clear sign that the movement’s message has struck a nerve,” accusing the police of focusing on “internal repression” rather than addressing the peaceful and legitimate demands of citizens.
“Rather than engage with the legitimate and peaceful demands of citizens, the police are turning their energy toward internal repression and fear tactics,” Sowore wrote.
He further declared that despite the alleged intimidation, “The people are awake, and the movement remains unstoppable.”
The nationwide protest, tagged #FreeNnamdiKanuNow, is aimed at demanding the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since 2021.
Police Official Statement:
𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁𝘀𝗔𝗽𝗽 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗹 𝗧𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗟𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗔𝘀 𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗗𝗿𝗼𝗽!
