Members of the “Free Nnamdi Kanu” movement on Monday vowed to continue their protest despite police efforts to disperse them in Abuja.

The demonstration, led by activist Omoyele Sowore and members of Nnamdi Kanu’s legal team—including Maxwell Opara, Prince Kanu, and Kanu’s Special Counsel, Aloy Ejimakor—was aimed at pressing President Bola Tinubu to order the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

The protesters, who attempted to march to the Presidential Villa, were blocked by heavily armed police officers. Security operatives fired teargas canisters to disperse the crowd, preventing them from accessing the area.

Speaking afterwards, lawyer Maxwell Opara condemned the police action, accusing President Tinubu of trying to suppress citizens’ right to peaceful assembly.

“Tinubu is a product of protest. He attained that position because of protests—remember his protests against President Jonathan,” Opara said.

“If Jonathan had refused to hand over to Buhari, Tinubu wouldn’t be there today. We are not deterred. We’re heading to Gwagwalada now to continue and restrategise. It’s an all-day protest,” he added.

Sowore, who convened the march, also criticised the police for what he described as an “unprovoked” attack on peaceful demonstrators.

He said, “There was no provocation on our part. The protest was orderly and peaceful, just as we promised,” he said. “About ten police trucks suddenly arrived as we started. They opened fire and used teargas on us without justification.”

The protest, which began in Abuja, is part of ongoing efforts to secure the release of Nnamdi Kanu, who has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) on the orders of the Federal Government.

Sowore maintained that the movement would persist until Kanu regains his freedom, adding that peaceful advocacy remains the group’s chosen path.