Motorists across Abuja were stranded across parts of Abuja on Monday as the #FreeNnamdiKanu protest caused heavy gridlock and road closures.
Several major routes were inaccessible, including Shehu Shagari Way and adjoining roads leading to the city centre.
The protest, led by activist Omoyele Sowore, began early in the day at the front of Transcorp Hilton Abuja, with demonstrators demanding the release of Nnamdi Kanu.
Meanwhile, security operatives arrived at protest locations early, firing tear gas and live rounds to disperse the crowd.
Commuters from satellite towns such as Karu and Lugbe were denied exit from the areas as security operatives fired teargas, tightening the gridlock.
Access to the Federal Secretariat, Abuja and the Three Arms Zone was barricaded, while Unity Fountain, the take-off point of the march, was sealed off. Motorists and pedestrians were denied entry, and heavily armed personnel patrolled the area.
Earlier, Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court of Nigeria had issued an interim injunction restricting demonstrations around Aso Rock Villa, the National Assembly, Force Headquarters, Court of Appeal, Eagle Square, and Shehu Shagari Way.
The Police in a statement on Sunday, called on groups, ” whether in support of or opposed to the ongoing agitation for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu”, to adhere strictly to the provisions of the court order, and warned that any violation would lead to arrests and said digital evidence would be used to track incitement on social media.
Sowore dismissed claims of a valid injunction, questioning why no order was issued against protesters opposing Kanu’s release. He also revealed that over 100 lawyers were prepared to challenge the injunction once formally served.
Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), was first arrested in 2015 on treason charges and later released on bail. He fled during trial but was re-arrested in Kenya in 2021 and extradited to Nigeria under controversial circumstances. He currently faces terrorism charges.
