The Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC) has issued a stern warning to President Bola Tinubu, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, and DSS Director-General Adeola Ajayi, urging them not to violate the constitutional rights of Nigerians during the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest scheduled for October 20, 2025, in Abuja.
DDM gathered that the protest, organized to demand the release of IPOB leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, is spearheaded by human rights activist Omoyele Sowore and supported by civil society groups, pro-democracy advocates, and concerned citizens across Nigeria and the diaspora.
The OYC emphasized that security agencies must respect the fundamental human rights of protesters, including freedom of expression, assembly, and movement, as enshrined in Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
OYC National President, Comrade Igboayaka O. Igboayaka, reminded top security officials that no one, including the President, is above the Constitution, and any violation of rights would draw national and international condemnation.
He urged the IGP to deploy adequate security personnel to ensure peaceful demonstrations, warning that the conduct of law enforcement during the protest would serve as a litmus test for Nigeria’s adherence to democratic norms.
The council condemned any attempts to harass, provoke, or assault demonstrators, noting that peaceful protests are lawful and protected under the Constitution.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the protest is expected to include hundreds of participants from across Nigeria, with youth groups, pro-democracy organizations, and legal advocacy bodies converging in Abuja to demand Kanu’s release and call for judicial compliance with court orders.
Igboayaka stressed that any act of intimidation, arbitrary arrests, or excessive force would violate both national and international human rights laws, warning that global attention is likely to focus on Nigeria’s handling of the protests.
He reminded security agencies that peaceful demonstrations are a civic duty in a democracy and cautioned that attempts to suppress lawful assemblies could exacerbate tensions and draw criticism from international bodies such as the United Nations and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
The OYC further highlighted that the protest represents a broad-based civic campaign transcending ethnicity, religion, or political alignment, emphasizing that the movement is anchored on universal principles of justice, accountability, and respect for the rule of law.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) reports that the protest comes after years of delayed judicial enforcement of Mazi Kanu’s release orders, prompting citizens and activists to demand immediate compliance with court rulings to uphold the integrity of Nigeria’s judiciary.
Igboayaka concluded by urging all parties, including civil society, media, and security agencies, to work together to guarantee a peaceful, organized, and transparent demonstration, underscoring that the protection of human rights is central to Nigeria’s democratic future.
He further called on Nigerians across the country to support peaceful advocacy, respect lawful protest guidelines, and condemn any acts that may incite violence, reiterating that the struggle for Kanu’s freedom is a matter of justice and national conscience.
This demonstration marks one of the most significant civic actions in recent years, highlighting growing public demand for accountability and the full protection of civil liberties in Nigeria, with Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) monitoring events as they unfold.