The Nigerian Police have arrested Barrister Aloy Ejimakor, legal counsel to the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, alongside Kanu’s younger brother, Prince Emmanuel Kanu, during a protest in Abuja on Monday, October 20, 2025.
The protest, part of the ongoing #FreeNnamdiKanuNow movement, drew a strong response from security forces, including police, soldiers, and operatives of the Department of State Services, who were deployed across major areas of the Federal Capital Territory.
Human rights activist and Take It Back movement convener, Omoyele Sowore, confirmed the arrests and called for their immediate release.
“The PoliceNG team deployed to brutalize #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protesters arrested Nnamdi Kanu’s brother, and his lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, as well as innocent bystanders,” Sowore posted via his social media accounts on Monday. “They were beaten and taken to the FCT command. The police must release them immediately.”
Ejimakor also confirmed his arrest via a post, writing, “We’ve just been arrested. Myself, Prince Emanuel and others. We are at FCT COMMAND CID. Myself, Fine Boy and others. No 1 Zaria Street, Garki 2, Abuja.”
Another member of the Kanu family, Kanunta Kanu, corroborated the report. He wrote, “Breaking news. FCT police COMMAND CID Abuja, No 1 Zaria Street, Garki Area 2, illegally arrested Barrister Aloy Ejimako and Prince Emmanuel Kanu, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s Special counsel and youngest brother and others. They should be released immediately because it is their right to protest.”
Earlier on Monday, security operatives fired tear gas at demonstrators gathered near the Transcorp Hilton area of Abuja. Among those targeted were Sowore, members of civil society organisations, and several clergymen who had joined the protest to demand Kanu’s release. The protesters were chanting solidarity songs when police officers moved in, deploying multiple rounds of tear gas to disperse the crowd.
In a related incident, heavily armed police units had also fired tear gas in the Maitama area before protesters had fully gathered. The preemptive action caused panic among residents and commuters, many of whom were caught in the chaos. “There were no protesters yet; people were just moving around as usual when suddenly the police started firing tear gas,” a witness told SaharaReporters. “Everyone started running, even roadside traders and taxi drivers.”
Security forces have since cordoned off key locations in the city, including the Three Arms Zone, Eagle Square, Federal Secretariat, Unity Fountain, and access routes leading to the Presidential Villa in Aso Rock.
The protest was planned by Sowore and various pro-democracy organisations, who vowed to march to the Presidential Villa to press for Kanu’s release. The Nigeria Police Force had earlier issued a warning on Sunday, urging organisers to avoid restricted areas and maintain public order. Despite this, activists insisted on going forward with the protest, accusing the administration of President Bola Tinubu of showing “gross contempt of court” and flouting the rule of law.
