IPOB calls on the Nigeria Police Force to ensure peace, order, and safety during the Free Nnamdi Kanu Protest across Nigeria on October 20.
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has called on the Nigeria Police Force to guarantee the safety and security of citizens expected to participate in the upcoming Free Nnamdi Kanu Protest scheduled for October 20 across the country.
In a statement issued on Saturday by its spokesperson, Comrade Emma Powerful, IPOB urged the police to act with utmost professionalism and neutrality while handling demonstrators during the Free Nnamdi Kanu Protest.
The group emphasized that the credibility of the police depends on their ability to protect the people’s constitutional rights rather than suppressing them.
The movement expressed concern over previous cases where peaceful protests were allegedly infiltrated by agents provocateurs, resulting in unnecessary violence and chaos.
IPOB said such actions have historically been used to discredit legitimate civic movements and justify state repression.
“We appeal to the Nigeria Police Force to prevent any attempt to infiltrate or disrupt the Free Nnamdi Kanu Protest,” IPOB stated.
“If such actions occur again, they will not only undermine public trust but also violate the democratic values that the police are sworn to uphold.”
The organisation urged police authorities to brief officers properly and ensure that protesters are treated with dignity, restraint, and respect.
IPOB noted that professionalism and discipline must guide law enforcement throughout the protest period.
IPOB clarified that it is not the direct organiser of the Free Nnamdi Kanu Protest, but it fully supports the initiative as a democratic and peaceful movement calling for justice.
The protest, the group said, is being spearheaded by human rights advocates, pro-democracy groups, and civic activists, including Omoyele Sowore, who have pledged to maintain peace and order.
“This is a civic campaign organised by well-meaning Nigerians who believe in justice and accountability,” Emma Powerful explained.
“IPOB stands with every lawful effort that demands the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and respects the right of all Nigerians to express themselves peacefully.”
Reaffirming its dedication to peace, IPOB instructed its members and sympathisers to remain calm, law-abiding, and respectful of court orders during the Free Nnamdi Kanu Protest.
The group cautioned against confrontation or any act that could be misinterpreted as aggression.
“The world must continue to see IPOB as a disciplined and peace-loving movement,” the statement said.
“We will not allow anyone to use our name to cause violence or disrupt public order.”
According to IPOB, the movement for Nnamdi Kanu’s release transcends ethnic, political, or religious identity, describing it as a universal call for fairness, justice, and the rule of law.
The group stressed that the conduct of the police during the Free Nnamdi Kanu Protest will serve as a litmus test for Nigeria’s commitment to democratic principles. IPOB urged security agencies to act in ways that promote peace and confidence rather than fear and intimidation.
“The Nigeria Police Force must protect peaceful protesters, not provoke or persecute them,” the group said.
“The Free Nnamdi Kanu Protest will show whether Nigeria truly respects freedom of expression and the rule of law.”
IPOB also appealed to civil society groups, international observers, and the media to monitor the protests closely and ensure transparency and fairness throughout the process.
The statement concluded by reminding Nigerians that the campaign for Nnamdi Kanu’s release is not merely a regional or political cause but a national demand for justice. IPOB reiterated that any injustice against one citizen threatens the rights and freedoms of all.
“The Free Nnamdi Kanu Protest represents the collective conscience of Nigerians who stand for truth,” Emma Powerful declared.
“We pray for divine protection for all peaceful demonstrators and for wisdom among the nation’s leaders to do what is right.”
IPOB urged all citizens, regardless of ethnic background, to unite in the pursuit of justice, peace, and the rule of law, adding that the strength of a nation lies in its ability to uphold the rights of its people.
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