A group of Nigerians in the United States on Monday staged a protest at the Nigerian House in New York, demanding the immediate release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
The protesters, who carried placards and chanted solidarity songs, accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of perpetuating injustice and suppressing dissent. A video of the protest was shared online by human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore.
“Power belongs to the people Ahmed Bola Tinubu, you are our President by election if that is actually the case. But we know that election and the electoral system in Nigeria is rigged so we want to send a clear message to you that we concerned Nigerians in diaspora are aware and awake to speak truth to power, you are a criminal President and it’s being confirmed by the United States of America,” the protesters stated.
The demonstrators also urged the President to respect the rule of law and release Kanu in compliance with existing court rulings.
“If you have any iota of dignity, set Mazi Nnamdi Kanu free,” one of the protesters declared.
Describing Kanu as a prisoner of conscience, the group faulted the federal government for detaining him despite court orders granting his release.
“He was tried in a court and the same court gave him freedom but you evil Nigerian government have kept holding him captive,” the protesters said.
Meanwhile, Sowore has warned that the federal government’s continued detention of Kanu could trigger widespread unrest if not urgently addressed.
“Today will be different and nobody can stop this spirit and this is to ensure that we bring our brother home,” Sowore said during the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest in Abuja, where demonstrators continued to demand the IPOB leader’s release.
He accused the police and other security agencies of using tear gas and force to disperse peaceful protesters across different locations in Abuja.
“They teargassed us, we relocated to Utako, they teargassed us, we relocated to Apo, Apo has the biggest so far and that is to show to you that very soon, this will get out of hand if they don’t do something about releasing Nnamdi Kanu,” he said.
Sowore maintained that the protests were peaceful and focused on justice and fairness rather than violence.
“We are not threatening violence, we are just saying that in this country we all deserve a right to be citizens. If you want us to be citizens in this country, if you don’t want Nigerians to be citizens in their own country, let those who want to go, go,” he stated.
The ongoing demonstrations in Abuja are part of renewed agitation by activists and supporters urging the federal government to obey court rulings and release Kanu from custody.
Sowore also alleged that security operatives opened fire on peaceful protesters during an earlier demonstration in front of the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.
“There were about 10 trucks that arrived as soon as we started the protest. There was no provocation on our part, like we had promised. It was an orderly and peaceful protest,” Sowore said.
“Suddenly, from nowhere, they started shooting at us, tear gas, and some live bullets were fired. Luckily, I don’t think anybody was hit with live bullets, but they were just shooting all around us.”
He described Kanu’s continued detention as “a sham designed to obstruct justice” and urged the federal government to act in line with democratic principles.
