General News
CHAOS IN ABUJA AS PROTEST FOR NNAMDI KANU’S RELEASE TURNS VIOLENT
Chaos erupted in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory on Monday as a peaceful demonstration demanding the release of Indigenous People of Biafra leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, degenerated into violence. Gunshots, teargas, and arrests turned central Abuja into a flashpoint of unrest.
The protest, organised by activist Omoyele Sowore and Kanu’s lead counsel Aloy Ejimakor, began near the Nigerian Communications Commission headquarters in Maitama but quickly descended into pandemonium when security operatives moved in to disperse participants. An eyewitness recounted to reporters, “There was shouting, then gunshots — everyone just ran.”
Videos circulating online captured scenes of panic as protesters fled clouds of teargas and the sound of live rounds fired into the air. Several people were reportedly injured in the ensuing stampede.
Ejimakor confirmed his own arrest in a post on X, formerly Twitter, writing, “We’ve just been arrested. Myself, Prince Emanuel and others. We are at FCT Command CID, No. 1 Zaria Street, Garki 2.”
The Nigerian Police Force later justified the crackdown, citing a court order barring protests near sensitive zones, including Aso Rock Villa, the National Assembly, and Force Headquarters. The order was reportedly issued on Friday by Justice M.G. Umar following a police suit against Sowore and four others. Police spokesman Benjamin Hundeyin warned that anyone breaching the restrictions or “inciting violence” would be arrested and prosecuted.
Sowore, however, dismissed the order as a “sham,” insisting it was never properly served and thus unenforceable. “There is no valid court order restricting this protest. Our right to peaceful assembly is non-negotiable,” he declared, announcing that a 115-member legal team was ready to challenge any police action. He accused authorities of double standards, pointing out that pro-government demonstrators had been allowed to march in Abuja for three consecutive days without interference.
By midday, key areas including the Federal Secretariat, National Assembly Complex, and Central Business District were deserted. Armoured vehicles patrolled major junctions as security forces mounted roadblocks and fired sporadic teargas. Court activities were also suspended, with judges and lawyers unable to access Federal High Court premises amid the chaos.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Correctional Service declared all prisons nationwide “Red Zones,” warning that anyone approaching correctional facilities would be treated as a security threat.
Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, detained since his 2021 extradition from Kenya, faces treason and terrorism charges. Despite multiple court orders granting him bail, he remains in the custody of the Department of State Services, a situation rights groups say undermines Nigeria’s commitment to the rule of law.
While calm gradually returned to parts of the city, anxiety remained high. Many residents stayed home as traffic gridlock paralysed key entry routes. One fleeing protester shouted, “This is not just about Nnamdi Kanu, it’s about justice. It’s about Nigeria.”
The Managing Director of Belujane Konzult, Chris Aligbe, has defended the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) over its probe into domestic airline fares, dismissing criticisms as a misunderstanding of the law.
Aligbe spoke amid controversies surrounding allegations of price-fixing by domestic airlines during the high travel season last December. He stated that the FCCPC acted within its legal mandate, describing the sharp airfare hikes as unjustifiable and not backed by factors such as rising Jet A1 fuel costs or new taxes, as claimed by the airlines.
The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) had previously challenged the FCCPC’s interim report, arguing that the commission lacked competence in airline economics and that its findings could threaten the survival of domestic carriers.
Despite the disagreement, the FCCPC proceeded to indict five unnamed indigenous airlines and announced plans to impose sanctions in line with existing laws. The commission also intends to engage forensic experts to examine the alleged price-fixing practices.
Speaking to The Guardian in Lagos, Aligbe emphasized that while the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) regulates the aviation sector, the FCCPC functions as a cross-sectoral competition and consumer protection authority, with jurisdiction to intervene in anti-competition cases across industries, including aviation.
He added that the FCCPC’s authority, established by an Act of the National Assembly, has been reinforced by judicial endorsements, including those from the Chief Justice of Nigeria.
Responding to claims that the FCCPC lacked aviation expertise, Aligbe said the arguments were unfounded, noting that former FCCPC Chief Executive Officer Babatunde Irukera contributed to drafting the commission’s founding legislation, ensuring continuity of institutional knowledge.
Aligbe further accused domestic airlines of exploiting passengers during peak periods by delaying the opening of booking portals, which forces last-minute ticket purchases at inflated prices. He dismissed airline claims that aircraft unavailability caused these delays, stating that proper planning should ensure fleet readiness ahead of high-demand seasons.
Nigeria has called for deeper economic, cultural, and strategic collaboration between Africa and Latin America at the CELAC–Africa High-Level Forum held in Bogotá.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, who represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, described the forum as a critical platform for strengthening cooperation among Global South nations amid growing geopolitical uncertainties.
Tuggar commended Gustavo Petro for convening the meeting at a pivotal moment in global affairs, noting that ongoing global conflicts continue to have far-reaching consequences for developing countries.
He urged participating nations to work collectively to promote stability and mitigate shared risks, while advocating for a more unified and influential Global South voice in the evolving global order.
Highlighting Nigeria’s priorities, the minister identified key areas for collaboration, including education, energy, agriculture, solid minerals, and technology. He stressed the need for inclusiveness in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, warning that developing regions must not be left behind.
Reaffirming Nigeria’s commitment to international cooperation, Tuggar referenced the country’s Technical Aid Corps programme, which has supported Caribbean nations since 1987, and expressed readiness to expand partnerships across trade, healthcare, culture, and climate resilience.
On economic prospects, he noted Nigeria’s position as Africa’s largest market, pointing to opportunities in agriculture and agro-processing, as well as ongoing efforts to achieve food self-sufficiency through increased fertiliser production.
He also underscored the importance of cultural exchange and the creative industry in strengthening ties, calling for enhanced collaboration in arts, education, digital innovation, and intellectual property development.
Addressing global challenges, Tuggar called for joint action on climate change, healthcare access, and technology transfer, while reiterating Nigeria’s stance on tackling illicit financial flows and advancing discussions on historical reparations linked to slavery and colonialism.
The CELAC–Africa High-Level Forum, held from March 20 to 21, 2026, brought together leaders from Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean to deepen cooperation across political, economic, and cultural sectors.
Nigeria is set to host the 8th Nigeria–European Union Ministerial Dialogue in Abuja, as both parties seek to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties.
The meeting, scheduled for Monday at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tafawa Balewa House, will be led on the Nigerian side by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar. The European Union delegation will be headed by Kaja Kallas, who also serves as Vice-President of the European Commission.
Kallas arrived in Abuja on Sunday ahead of the talks and is expected to hold a bilateral meeting with Tuggar to review Nigeria–EU relations and explore new areas of cooperation.
As part of her visit, the EU envoy will also pay a courtesy call on Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa, in a move aimed at deepening diplomatic engagement.
Both parties are expected to address journalists in a joint press briefing after the dialogue, outlining key outcomes and areas of agreement.
The ministerial talks will focus on critical sectors including trade and investment, security cooperation, governance, migration, climate action, and sustainable development.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nigeria reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations with the European Union, expressing optimism that the dialogue will yield productive and forward-looking outcomes.