By Charles Pemu 
ABUJA, FCT — The Federal Capital Territory woke up to an unprecedented security presence this Monday morning as a planned demonstration demanding the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, was met with immediate and forceful opposition from law enforcement agencies.
The protest, organised by activist Omoyele Sowore under the hashtag #FreeNnamdiKanuNow, was scheduled to converge in the Central Business District before marching towards the Presidential Villa. However, this convergence was violently disrupted by security operatives who cordoned off major access roads in the early hours of the day.
Eyewitness accounts and on-the-ground reports confirm that police and other security personnel deployed tear gas canisters to scatter the few protesters and bystanders who attempted to gather near the Transcorp Hilton Hotel and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) area. The quick deployment of force effectively prevented any mass gathering, turning the city centre into a scene of dispersal and containment.
The operation has resulted in significant arrests. Among those apprehended is Mr. Aloy Ejimakor, one of Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyers, who confirmed his detention alongside other demonstrators at the FCT Command CID. The arrest of a key member of Kanu’s legal team marks a critical development in the ongoing saga.
The preemptive security measure follows a recent interim injunction from the Federal High Court in Abuja, which barred the organisers from protesting in sensitive areas, including the Aso Rock Villa, the National Assembly Complex, and Eagle Square. Despite this judicial warning, Mr. Sowore had vowed to proceed with what he termed a peaceful and lawful march.
The rigorous lockdown has choked off traffic and commerce in the diplomatic and business core of Abuja. Combined security teams have restricted access points, aiming to keep the protest completely away from the seat of power, creating widespread bedlam and gridlock for early morning commuters and residents.
As the morning progresses, the area remains highly volatile, with heavy security patrols ensuring the disruption is not prolonged and that the protesters remain scattered. The Nigerian Correctional Service also issued a separate warning, declaring all correctional centres nationwide as “Red Zones” and advising protesters to keep off to avoid security breaches. The capital city is now on edge as the situation remains tense.