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The Nigeria Police Force has defended its enforcement of a court order restricting the #FreeNnamdiKanu protest from accessing key government areas in Abuja, insisting that its officers acted within the law and only used tear gas to disperse demonstrators.
Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, said this during an interview on Channels Television on Monday.
He explained that the decision followed a valid order from the Federal High Court obtained on Friday.
According to him, the order barred protesters from converging on or marching towards strategic areas including the Aso Villa, Supreme Court, National Assembly, Eagles Square, and Shehu Shagari Way among others.
“We got a court order specifically about this protest and restricting protests from certain areas like the Aso Villa, the Supreme Court, the National Assembly, Eagle Square, the Force Headquarters and Shagari Way. As a law enforcement agency, we are duty-bound to enforce that order,” Hundeyin said.
He explained that the Force acted after receiving intelligence indicating possible unrest if the protest reached those restricted zones, adding that the police were obliged to prevent a breakdown of law and order.
“We have records of past protests where things were destroyed. So, it is our duty to protect life and property. Whatever lawful steps we need to take to achieve that mandate are what we’ll take,” he added.
Hundeyin stressed that officers only used “minimal force” to disperse protesters who allegedly attempted to move towards the banned areas despite repeated warnings.
“We gave enough warning for these people to step back, but they were adamant. We used tear gas in line with our standard operating procedures. That was the least we could do. Nobody was harmed or injured,” he said.
The Force spokesman also denied reports that live ammunition was used during the protest, saying such claims were “false and misleading.”
“I can state categorically that no live ammunition was fired today. It’s easy for people who are not familiar with the sounds to mistake the firing of tear gas for live bullets, but I can say with authority that only tear gas was used,” he clarified.
He noted that the court order was not a secret document and that the protest organisers were directed to appear in court on Monday morning as part of the proceedings.
“The court order is not classified. It’s available, and it clearly stated that the other party should appear this morning at 9 a.m. in court, just for the spirit of fair play,” he added.
Hundeyin urged protesters to express their grievances peacefully and within the confines of the law, stressing that the Federal Capital Territory was large enough for their voices to be heard without threatening critical infrastructure.
“No matter where you protest, your voices will be heard. This is the age of the internet — people can stream and make their voices known. But we must learn from the past and prevent chaos before it happens,” he said.
The #FreeNnamdiKanu protest was convened by activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, who had urged Nigerians to gather in Abuja on Monday to demand the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.
In the days leading to the demonstration, Sowore used his social media platforms to mobilise supporters, insisting that peaceful assembly was a constitutional right and urging the police to protect, rather than intimidate protesters.
According to a report by PUNCH Online, he said the planned rally would be a non-violent demand for justice and respect for the rule of law.
However, security agencies had expressed concern that the protest could escalate into unrest around sensitive government zones.
Protesters, including Sowore and several activists, gathered at the Unity Fountain in Abuja early on Monday, chanting solidarity songs and carrying placards demanding Kanu’s release.
They accused the Federal Government of disobeying multiple court judgments that had previously ordered the IPOB leader’s freedom.
Hundeyin said police officers on the ground engaged the protesters peacefully but were forced to act when they allegedly attempted to march towards the restricted zones.
Officers fired tear gas canisters to disperse the crowd after several warnings, a move that led to temporary tension around the area.
According to reports by PUNCH Online, the protesters later regrouped around the Utako axis of Abuja, prompting another round of dispersal by the police.
