Abuja, Nigeria – The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has called on the Nigeria Police Force to guarantee full protection for peaceful protesters planning to take part in the October 20 #FreeNnamdiKanuNow demonstrations across the country. The appeal was made in a statement issued on Saturday by IPOB’s spokesperson, Comrade Emma Powerful.
In the statement, IPOB stressed the importance of professional conduct by police personnel — not only in their language but also in their actions — emphasising that the integrity of the Police rests on impartial enforcement of the law. The group also voiced concern over previous incidents where it alleged that security operatives “infiltrated peaceful protests using hired provocateurs to incite violence and discredit legitimate movements.
IPOB urged the Nigeria Police Force to remain vigilant against such practices during the upcoming mobilisation, warning that any recurrence would “not only violate the rights of Nigerians but also betray the very constitutional principles the Police have pledged to uphold.
Though the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow campaign is not organised by IPOB, the group expressed full support for the civic initiative. According to the statement, the campaign is “a broad‐based civic effort championed by human rights activists and pro-democracy advocates, including Omoyele Sowore and his team, who have publicly declared their commitment to peaceful and lawful advocacy for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
IPOB directed its members to remain calm, respect court restrictions, avoid confrontation and participate lawfully in the demonstrations. “The agitation for Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s release transcends ethnicity, religion, or political alignment,” the group added, noting it embodies “a universal demand for justice and respect for the rule of law, values cherished by every freedom-loving Nigerian.
Emphasising the role of the Police at the coming protests, IPOB declared that the conduct of security agencies will serve as “a litmus test for Nigeria’s adherence to democratic norms.” It urged that all peaceful protesters be “protected, not provoked or persecuted.
In closing, the statement read: “We pray for God’s protection over all participants in this noble struggle for truth and freedom. Let peace prevail, and let those who profit from chaos and oppression be exposed by the collective unity of a people yearning for justice.