Nigeria Police Force, NPF under the leadership of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun who is currently in the United States, US, attending the International Association of Chiefs of Police, IACP Annual Conference in Denver, Colorado, USA, alongside other senior police officers has warned troublemakers to resist the temptation of hijacking the Free Nnamdi Kanu protest slated to hold today across the West Africa country by the organisers and other group of Nigerians to demand the release of the detained Biafra Republic agitation leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, also, the NPF reminded the organisers and the protesters to respect the Federal High Court order that restricted them from staging the protest in certain areas in Abuja, such areas which included Aso Rock Villa and its environs, the National Assembly Complex, Force Headquarters, the Court of Appeal, Eagle Square and Shehu Shagari Way, while assuring the protesters of protection.

The NPF in a statement issued and made availalabe by the Force Spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, indicated that “the Nigeria Police Force reaffirms its unwavering commitment to upholding the rule of law and maintaining public peace in accordance with constitutional provisions. This follows the subsisting Order of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, given on 17th October, 2025, by Honourable Justice M G Umar, in Suit Number FHC/ABJ/CS/2202/2025 — Federal Republic of Nigeria versus Omoyele Sowore and 4 others. The Order restrains the respondents and any other persons or groups acting under their instruction from staging protests within and around Aso Rock Villa and its environs, the National Assembly Complex, Force Headquarters, the Court of Appeal, Eagle Square and Shehu Shagari Way.

In deference to the authority of the Court and in line with the constitutional mandate of the Police to enforce law and order, the Force hereby calls on all groups — whether in support of or opposed to the ongoing agitation for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu — to adhere strictly to the provisions of the court order. The directive remains binding and enforceable pending further judicial proceedings.

The Nigeria Police Force recognises and respects the rights of citizens to peaceful assembly and expression. However, such rights must be exercised responsibly and within the limits of the law, particularly where public safety, national security, and the rights of other citizens are concerned. The Court’s intervention is therefore a safeguard, not a suppression, of constitutional freedoms.

Accordingly, all intending protesters and counter-protest groups are strongly advised to avoid restricted areas and to refrain from any act capable of provoking confrontation or disturbing public order. The Force will ensure the free flow of traffic, protection of lives and property, and security of all law-abiding citizens.

Any person or group that uses protests as cover to incite violence, carry or use offensive weapons, vandalise public or private property, kidnap, or engage in acts likely to cause loss of life or serious injury will be dealt with decisively. Offenders will be arrested, subjected to full investigation, and prosecuted under relevant criminal laws — including laws relating to public order, violent conduct and terrorism where applicable. Those who incite others via social media or other platforms should note that digital evidence will be used in investigations and prosecutions.

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun has directed the FCT Commissioner of Police and relevant operational commands to ensure strict enforcement of the Court’s Order, maintain visible and strategic deployments across vulnerable locations, and ensure the safety of residents and lawful activities in the FCT.

All organisers and participants are therefore advised to: • Avoid the restricted areas specified by the Court;
• Refrain from carrying weapons, engaging in provocative conduct, or encouraging others to breach the law; and
• Channel grievances through the courts and other lawful avenues rather than the streets.

The Nigeria Police Force assures law-abiding Nigerians that adequate security arrangements have been made to protect lives and property. Non-participants should go about their lawful businesses without fear. Anyone found to be in breach of the Court’s Order or in contempt of the law will be arrested and prosecuted”.

We had reported that the founder of SaharaReporters news media and the organizer of the Free Nnamdi Kanu protest, Omoyele Sowore has refuted and debunked the reports circulating in some sections of the media that the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has stopped the upcoming Monday October 20th mass protest organized to demand the release of the detained Biafra Republic agitation leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, saying, the media report is false and a calculated attempt to distract members of the public from coming out to join the protest, adding, Nnamdi Kanu is so sick that the people must come out now to set him free, the sickness as alleged by Omoyele Sowore apparently challenged the medical report issued by the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA who had submitted its panel report before the trial Court on Thursday that Nnamdi Kanu is fit to face trial, that, the sickness is not life threatening, but, Punch Newspaper reporter at the court on Thursday reported that it was the Department of State Services, DSS lawyer, who happened to be one of the parties in the dispute that presented the NMA medical report before the court, we are yet to ascertain the independency, fairness, objectivity, accuracy and transparency of the Nigerian Medical Association, NMA in conducting the medical examination.

We had reported that Justice Mohammed Garba Umar of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Friday apparently rejected the plans by the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun to stop the upcoming Monday, October 20th planned mass protests by Nigerians to demand the release of the detained Biafra Republic agitation leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, but, according to the organiser of the protest, Omoyele Sowore, after the Judge initially declined to grant the Nigeria Police Force an ex-parte motion to stop the planned protest in the open court, the “Federal High Court judge, Justice Umar reportedly granted the motion in chambers, imposing a ban on protests at Aso Rock Villa, National Assembly, or Unity Fountain in Abuja, we await a certified true copy of the order, which our lawyers will review, the protest remains unstoppable”, while this is ongoing, the United States, US Embassy in Nigeria has warned America citizens to be far from the protest areas and limit their movements in the Nigeria capital city, Abuja, saying, the planned protest may lead to disruptions and violence.

We had also reported that the Nigerian Army authority has issued a statement, denying threat messages issued against members of the public ahead of the planned mass protest slated for October 20, 2025 to demand for the release and freedom of the detained Biafra Republic agitation leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, just as the organiser and chief campaigner, Omoyele Sowore, the publisher of SaharaReporters news media met to seek understanding with the former President of Nigeria, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, who, according to Sowore, promised to visit President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to discuss the issue with him.