Metro

Imo: Security Operatives Foil Attempt To Abduct INEC Officials, Materials

Published

2 years ago

November 11, 2023

Vigilant security operatives in Imo, on Saturday, foiled an attempt by alleged political thugs to abduct INEC officials and cart away election materials.

The incident happened at a Registration Area Center in Amaimo, Ikeduru Local Government Area.

It was learnt that the attempt by the thugs to whisk away the INEC officials into their waiting vehicle was quickly repelled by the security personnel deployed in the centre.

An eyewitness account said that the armed security operatives fired into the air from a distance, when voters in the area raised an alarm over the presence of the thugs.

“The thugs quickly retreated into their bus and sped off on hearing the sound of the gun,” the eyewitness told NAN on the condition of anonymity.

An unarmed Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) operative at the scene told Newsmen that “the thugs were coming to hijack the INEC officials and election materials.

“But luck ran out on them when some people started shouting during a stampede caused by fear.

“It was their shouting that alerted the armed security personnnel, who quickly shot into the air, forcing the thugs to take to their heels,” the NSCDC operative said on the condition of anonymity.

NAN also reports that there was heavy presence of security personnel on major roads in the state.

In Owerri, the state capital, and its environs, armed security personnel mounted checkpoints at strategic locations as early as 6:00a.m. to enforce restriction on movements.

Heavily armed soldiers were seen at different entry points into the city, stopping and searching vehicles, as well as interrogating the drivers and passengers before allowing them to go.

A NAN correspondent monitoring the poll also reports that all the polling units in Isu Njaba had materials and INEC officials on ground as early as 8.00am.

Consequently, the accreditation of voters commenced at about 8.30am in the area without any security presence at the time of filing the report

Metro

Sowore Mobilises Supporters For #FreeNnamdiKanu Protest

Published

1 hour ago

October 20, 2025

Editor

Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has urged Nigerians to join a nationwide protest demanding the release of detained Indigenous People of Biafra’s leader, Nnamdi Kanu, despite a court order restricting demonstrations around key government areas in Abuja.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday morning, Sowore called on citizens to take to the streets in peaceful protest.

“Good morning, wherever you may be this morning, do not stop moving. Carry a sign, sing a song, make a statement!” he wrote.

He had earlier shared a message on Sunday night welcoming participants to the protest tagged#FreeNnamdiKanuNow.

“We warmly welcome everyone who has travelled from far and wide to join the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest tomorrow. Your courage, sacrifice, and solidarity speak volumes. Together, we are writing history,” he wrote.

Sowore announced that protesters would converge in front of the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, at 7 am, urging them to “come ready, come peaceful, come determined.”

He also shared a Facebook post that read, “We want to put one million people on the streets of Abuja tomorrow for #FreeNnamdiKanuNow — let’s make it happen.”

However, the planned march comes in defiance of an interim injunction issued by Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which restrained Sowore and other organisers from protesting in or around sensitive government areas, including the Presidential Villa, National Assembly Complex, Force Headquarters, Court of Appeal, Eagle Square, and Shehu Shagari Way.

Reacting to the reported order on Saturday, Sowore questioned its legitimacy and the perceived double standards of law enforcement.

“Suppose a court order truly exists restricting protests around Aso Rock Villa; it begs the question: why hasn’t the same police force obtained a similar order against those protesting freely for three consecutive days opposing Nnamdi Kanu’s release?” Sowore asked.

“The hypocrisy is glaring. The double standards are undeniable,” he added.

The activist disclosed that his legal team, comprising 115 lawyers, would challenge the alleged court order once it is formally served on Monday.

He maintained that the planned October 20 #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest would proceed as a peaceful and lawful march, declaring, “October 20 #FreeNnamdiKanuNow remains sacrosanct. We march peacefully, lawfully, and powerfully.”

The demonstration also coincides with the fifth anniversary of the #EndSARS protests of October 2020, which culminated in the alleged Lekki Toll Gate massacre — a period now remembered for its call for police reform and justice for victims of brutality.

Metro

Police Fire Tear Gas At #ReleaseNnamdiKanuNow Protesters In Abuja

Published

2 hours ago

October 20, 2025

Editor

Security operatives on Monday fired tear gas canisters at protesters, including human rights activist Omoyele Sowore, who had gathered in Abuja to demand the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.

The protest, tagged #ReleaseNnamdiKanuNow, was planned to take off from the Transcorp Hilton area and other parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), but was disrupted as police officers moved in early, firing multiple rounds of tear gas to disperse participants and passersby.

The operatives, who had cordoned off the hotel and adjoining streets, began firing tear gas even before protesters arrived in large numbers.

A visibly tightened atmosphere was observed across the city on the way this morning.

Soldiers, police, and operatives of the Department of State Services were deployed to key locations, including the Three Arms Zone, Eagle Square, Federal Secretariat, Unity Fountain, and routes leading to Aso Rock.

Metro

[PHOTOS] #FreeNnamdiKanuNow: Gridlock Hits Abuja Expressway

Published

2 hours ago

October 20, 2025

Editor

Severe morning traffic congestion has brought the Kugbo-Nyanya Expressway to a standstill on Monday, as a planned #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest disrupts commuting into the Federal Capital Territory.

The demonstration, organised by activist Omoyele Sowore, began at 7 a.m. near the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, with protesters demanding the release of Indigenous People of Biafra leader Nnamdi Kanu, who has been detained since 2021 on terrorism charges.

According to NTA News, the heavy gridlock is fueled by parked vehicles and gatherings along the busy Abuja-Keffi highway stretch, mixing commuter traffic with protest-related activity.

“Motorists heading into the FCT from the Kugbo/Nyanya axis report slow movement, with several lanes reportedly blocked by parked vehicles and protest‑related activity,” the station reported.

It identified that the corridor is historically vulnerable to disruptions, citing “heavy traffic and blocked lanes due to security checks during protests and security operations in the past.”

The protest, defying police warnings and a Federal High Court order, aims to march toward the Presidential Villa, raising security concerns across the city.

PUNCH Online had earlier reported that security operatives fired tear gas canisters at protesters, including Sowore, who had gathered for the protest.