Omoyele Sowore cautions police to avoid violence during the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest, urging respect for citizens’ rights and peaceful demonstration.
As Nigeria braces for the nationwide #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest scheduled for Monday, October 20, 2025, prominent human rights activist and pro-democracy campaigner Omoyele Sowore has warned the Nigeria Police Force to steer clear of any form of violence, intimidation, or suppression of peaceful demonstrators.
Sowore emphasized that the right to protest is constitutionally guaranteed and must be respected by all security agencies.
In a post shared via his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Sunday, Sowore expressed deep concern about alleged directives from police authorities to adopt a tough stance against citizens participating in the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest.
He claimed that despite being abroad, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, had instructed the newly appointed Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), CP Miller Dantawaye, to implement a “heavy-handed approach” to contain the peaceful march.
According to Sowore, credible intelligence indicated that Egbetokun, who is reportedly attending an international conference in the United States, issued orders that could result in the harassment or arrest of peaceful demonstrators.
Describing the alleged plan as unconstitutional, Sowore urged the Nigerian police hierarchy to respect the rule of law and uphold democratic principles.
“Even though illegal Inspector-General Kayode Egbetokun has skipped town and is reportedly attending an international conference in the US,” Sowore said, “credible sources indicate he instructed the new Commissioner of Police for the FCT, CP Miller Dantawaye, to adopt a heavy-handed approach to tomorrow’s peaceful #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest.”
Sowore called on police officers across the country to honor their oath of allegiance and remember that their duty is to protect citizens, not to silence them. He stated that using force against unarmed demonstrators is not only unlawful but also a betrayal of the public trust.
“We are calling on CP Dantawaye and every officer of the Nigeria Police Force @policeng to uphold their oath of allegiance to Nigerians, protect citizens, and respect the inalienable right to peaceful assembly,” he said.
The #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest is part of a broader movement demanding the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who has been detained since 2021 despite several court rulings ordering his release.
Organizers of the protest have maintained that their actions will be entirely peaceful, focusing on justice, freedom, and adherence to constitutional values.
However, tension remains high amid reports that the police plan to deploy heavily armed personnel in major cities, including Abuja, Lagos, Enugu, and Port Harcourt, to “maintain law and order.”
Civil rights groups fear this could lead to confrontation if officers act outside the bounds of the law.
Sowore, a former presidential candidate and outspoken critic of government repression, warned that any attempt to use violence or unlawful arrests against protesters would provoke public outrage and international condemnation.
“Any use of excessive force or unlawful arrests will attract repercussions. The Nigerian people will hold accountable those who attempt brutality swiftly. Times are changing fast, and our citizens have been taken advantage of for too long,” he warned.
The activist emphasized that the ongoing struggle for Nnamdi Kanu’s release transcends regional or ethnic interests. According to him, the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest represents a test of Nigeria’s commitment to democracy, justice, and human rights. He argued that the government’s continued defiance of court orders erodes public confidence and emboldens impunity.
“Nigerians must not remain silent while their rights are being trampled upon,” Sowore stated.
“The #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest is not only about one man—it’s about defending the principles of justice, freedom, and equality that our nation desperately needs.”
He further appealed to international human rights bodies, including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the United Nations Human Rights Council, to closely monitor the actions of the Nigerian government and security forces during the demonstration. He said the world must not allow Nigeria to slide further into a culture of impunity where dissent is criminalized.
Civil society organizations and advocacy groups have echoed Sowore’s concerns, urging the government to guarantee citizens’ safety during the protest.
The Coalition for Civil Rights and Democracy (CCRD) reminded authorities that peaceful assembly is a constitutional right under Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and that Nigeria is bound by international human rights treaties that protect the same right.
The coalition warned that repressing peaceful protesters could trigger unrest, deepen citizens’ mistrust in state institutions, and portray Nigeria negatively in the global arena. It encouraged security agencies to instead collaborate with protest organizers to ensure order and public safety.
Political analysts note that how the government handles the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest will reveal much about President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to democratic governance.
A repressive response, they argue, could spark widespread discontent and further polarize the nation at a time when economic hardship and insecurity are already straining national unity.
Meanwhile, residents in several major cities have reported an increased presence of security operatives ahead of the Monday demonstration.
Despite the heightened tension, many supporters of the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest have vowed to proceed peacefully, insisting that no amount of intimidation will silence their demand for justice and freedom.
For Sowore, the moment represents a defining test for Nigeria’s democracy. He reaffirmed that genuine progress cannot be achieved in a nation where citizens live in fear of their own government.
“It is time for Nigerians to reclaim their voice and assert their rights,” he said.
As the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow begins today, eyes are on the Nigerian authorities to see whether they will protect or violate the constitutional freedoms they swore to defend. For many, Monday’s events will not only determine the fate of one man but will also signal whether Nigeria still values its democratic ideals or is sliding deeper into authoritarianism.
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