Group stages peaceful protests in Abia, Anambra and Ebonyi as pressure mounts on Abuja over Kanu’s continued detention
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on Monday organised solidarity rallies across Abia, Anambra and Ebonyi states, demanding the immediate release of its detained leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. The group said the demonstrations were part of a broader campaign to draw international attention to what it described as ongoing human rights abuses against pro-Biafra activists in Nigeria.
According to IPOB, the rallies were held peacefully, with participants carrying placards, banners and photographs of Nnamdi Kanu while chanting solidarity songs. The group noted that the protests coincided with political developments in the United States, which it said symbolised renewed hope for justice and global intervention in Kanu’s case.
IPOB maintained that Nnamdi Kanu’s continued detention remains unlawful, insisting that several court orders granting him bail and calling for his release have allegedly been ignored. The organisation also reiterated its call for accountability over the killing of Biafran agitators during past protests, particularly those linked to earlier demonstrations in the South-East.
In a statement issued after the rallies, IPOB appealed to the Federal Government of Nigeria, the international community, and global human rights organisations to intervene and ensure Kanu’s release. The group argued that dialogue, rather than repression, remains the only sustainable solution to addressing grievances in the South-East.
While the rallies took place outside the Federal Capital Territory, developments surrounding Nnamdi Kanu’s case continue to attract attention in Abuja, where key legal and political decisions regarding his detention are being made. Analysts say the renewed protests could increase pressure on authorities as discussions around national unity, security, and human rights remain central to Nigeria’s political discourse.
The Federal Government has yet to officially respond to the latest demonstrations, but security agencies have in the past warned against protests they consider capable of disrupting public order. Despite this, IPOB insists it will continue to pursue its demands through what it describes as lawful and peaceful means.
