Banks, commercial activities, artisans, schools among others were closed as Members of the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow movement on Monday joined a peaceful protest in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, in solidarity with similar demonstrations held in Abuja and other parts of the country.
Speaking with journalists, one of the protesters, Mazi Onyedi, said they came out to demand the unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). He noted that Kanu, who hails from Umuahia in Abia State, deserves the support of his people.
Another protester criticized the Federal Government, accusing it of double standards. According to him, “If President Tinubu can release people known to be involved in drug and criminal cases but refuses to free Nnamdi Kanu, who is only fighting for the freedom of his people, then something is wrong with the system.”
A woman protester who joined the protesters emphasized that their movement remains peaceful, stating that they carried no weapons and only wanted their voices heard.
She added that they did not come out to fight, but to beg the Federal Government to obey court orders and release his brother unconditionally.
Others recalled that various courts, including the Court of Appeal and the Federal High Court, even the dead had granted Kanu bail, yet the government has continued to hold him.
“Even the dead have been granted pardon, but our leader who committed no crime is still in detention,” one protester lamented.
The demonstrators appealed to President Tinubu to heed the voice of justice and compassion, urging him to release Nnamdi Kanu in the interest of peace, unity, and national reconciliation.
Protesters were carrying placards with inscriptions like FG obey court other, release Kanu now, release Kanu Tinubu to stop insecurity in South East.
Meanwhile, joint security officers were seen in some stratetic junctions within Umuahia town, while the commissioner of police Abia state command, CP Danladi Isa was also patroling around Umuahia.
