There are indications of a potential confrontation between security operatives and #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protesters today (Monday) as organisers insist on marching to the Presidential Villa to demand the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.

This comes despite an interim order by the Federal High Court in Abuja restraining the group from holding protests around key government institutions, including the Villa and National Assembly.

The organisers, however, maintained their resolve to go ahead with what they describe as a peaceful convergence in Abuja and other South-East states. The Director of Mobilisation for the Take It Back Movement, Damilare Adenola, reaffirmed that the planned march would proceed as scheduled.

The demonstration, endorsed by opposition figures, is aimed at pressing for the immediate and unconditional release of Kanu, who is standing trial for alleged terrorism, treason, and incitement. The Federal Government accuses him of advocating for Biafra’s independence through provocative rhetoric broadcast via social media and Radio Biafra. IPOB was declared a terrorist organisation in 2017, the same year Kanu fled the country while on bail before being re-arrested in Kenya in 2021, an action that has since generated legal and political controversy.

Public opinion remains divided on his detention. While some see it as political persecution, others argue it is a legitimate prosecution under the law. His health has also been a matter of public concern, though a recent medical assessment confirmed him fit for trial.

Authorities are said to be uneasy about the timing of the protest, which coincides with the fifth anniversary of the #EndSARS demonstrations in October 2020.

When asked if the group would still march to the Presidential Villa, Adenola declared, “Nothing shall discourage us! Marching peacefully anywhere in the country is our constitutionally guaranteed right. Nothing can derogate it.” He added that the protest was a stand against “inhumane, illegal and strongman acts scripted to promote the erosion of our rights, and the capture of whatever remains of our criminal justice system.”

The planned action directly contravenes an interim injunction issued on Friday by Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja following an ex parte motion filed by the Nigeria Police Force. The order restrains the organisers, led by activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore, from demonstrating near sensitive locations such as the Aso Rock Villa, National Assembly, Force Headquarters, Court of Appeal, Eagle Square, and Shehu Shagari Way.

The order remains effective pending the hearing of the substantive motion fixed for today.

Counsel to the organisers, Maxwell Opara, acknowledged reports of the restraining order but stated on Sunday that his clients had not been officially served. He insisted that the protesters had notified the police and that the march was meant to symbolically engage leaders directly.

“We have notified them, and they will come and provide security — that’s what they are expected to do,” Opara said. “We don’t want miscreants to take advantage of the protest. I learnt that they went to court, but we have not seen the order.”

Responding to reports of an alleged plan by the police to suppress the protest, Adenola accused security agents of being responsible for disrupting otherwise peaceful demonstrations. “The truth is that protesters are always coordinated in this country; it is the police who usually disrupt this peace,” he said.

He confirmed that “a large number of lawyers” had been deployed to provide legal support in case of arrests or detentions. Sowore also disclosed that over 115 lawyers, medical personnel, and journalists had been mobilised nationwide.

According to him, the movement has gained nationwide momentum, with mobilisation spreading to marketplaces, religious institutions, and high-level meetings, including engagements with former President Goodluck Jonathan and diaspora groups. “The legal team (115 lawyers), medics, and media teams are in place. Expect a large, disciplined turnout in Abuja and coordinated actions in multiple states and Nigerian embassies,” Sowore said.

The protest has also attracted strong political backing, with prominent opposition leaders such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi publicly supporting dialogue as a solution. Obi reiterated that there was “no need for Kanu’s arrest in the first place,” stressing that negotiation remains the most viable approach. “I will consult, negotiate, and discuss with anybody who is agitating. I said it clearly and I remain there,” he said.

Dr. Yunusa Tanko, the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, echoed Obi’s position, while NNPP’s National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, emphasised that peaceful protest is a democratic right. The Labour Party’s interim spokesman, Tony Akeni, criticised the Federal Government for what he called double standards in engaging with bandits while prosecuting Kanu.

Akeni described the situation as “a savage, stone-age system of injustice,” citing international interest in the protests.

However, within Kanu’s legal team, there is division over the demonstrations. Senior Advocate of Nigeria Onyechi Ikpeazu said his focus remains on court proceedings. “As a lawyer in the matter, we are focused on the court proceedings and cannot take the case outside the courtroom,” he stated, adding that a presidential pardon would not apply since Kanu has not been convicted.

In contrast, another counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, declared his full support for the protest. “I endorsed the protest fully because it is the civic and constitutional right of Nigerians to protest. I am Nigerian; I will be joining the protest,” he said.

As preparations intensify, security agencies have heightened vigilance across the capital and major cities. The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Capital Territory Command, warned that any form of vandalism or theft “in the name of protest” would attract strict penalties. FCT Commandant Olusola Odumosu confirmed that personnel had been deployed to strategic areas to maintain order and safeguard infrastructure.

“The corps will not condone any form of destruction, vandalism or theft of public and private facilities in the name of protest,” Odumosu warned, adding that officers were instructed to maintain a non-kinetic approach to crowd control.

In a related move, the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) declared all correctional centres nationwide as “Red Zones” ahead of the demonstrations. Spokesman Umar Abubakar stated that the facilities remain restricted areas and that anyone attempting to breach them would be treated as a security threat.

“In light of the planned nationwide protest scheduled for Monday, October 20, 2025, calling for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the public is hereby informed that all correctional centres are declared as red zones,” Abubakar said.

He cautioned that unauthorised individuals should stay away from prison facilities “to avoid any untoward incidents or security breaches.”

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Wale Edun, has returned to the country after days of speculation about his health.

Edun, who was reported to be indisposed by the presidency last week, was sighted on Sunday afternoon at Fraser Suites, Abuja, where he attended a meeting with a delegation from Qatar.

The minister walked into the meeting in good spirits and later left in the company of the Minister for Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, after about an hour of closed-door discussions with the Qatari representatives.

The development comes amid reports of Edun’s recent public appearance in London, where he was seen “in high spirits” at an art gallery booth, dispelling rumours of ill health.

Further details about the meeting and the purpose of the Qatari visit are expected to emerge later.

More to come…

• Project to inject 70 hybrid electric ferries, develop 140km ferry routes, 25 modern terminals.
• ‘Lagos ready to explore water-based economy’ — LASWA boss

OMI EKO — Lagos State’s long-anticipated inland waterways transportation project being developed in partnership with the European Union has transited from the blueprint to a reality.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Friday, formally launched the EUR 410 million waterways infrastructure project aimed at developing rapid transportation options that will address Lagosians’ mobility needs.

The project, divided into two components, will be implemented by the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), with the second component expected to be completed by 2030.

Lagos secured the funding for the project via the Global Gateway Initiative, the French Development Agency (AFD), the European Union (EU) and the European Investment Bank (EIB), which earmarked a subsidised loan of EUR 360 million for the project.

The first component of the project covers channelisation, marking and dredging of 140km of ferry routes from which Lagos will be developing 15 priority ferry routes, including constructing high-quality infrastructure and facilities.

The entire Inland Waterways Transport infrastructure comprises 25 ferry terminals and jetties with electric charging facilities to power e-vessels. There will be onshore depots for routine vessel maintenance, while land connections, including road surfacing, will be developed for other transport services connecting to ferry terminals.

Sanwo-Olu described the Omi-Eko launch as “historic”, noting that the event was not just an unveiling ceremony but a “bold statement” reaffirming Lagos’ frontline leadership in delivering a sustainable integrated water transportation ecosystem.

The Governor said exploring the full range of waterways transportation was a critical priority in his administration’s THEMES+ Agenda to transform mobility in the metropolis.

He said: “Every Lagosian knows the frustration of traffic. But a few will remember that Lagos began as a network of islands, knitted together by water. Long before bridges connected city, boats carried dreams, goods, and people across the lagoons. This water body nourishes us, shapes the State’s identity and now, it will carry us into the future.

“The OMI-EKO project is a comprehensive, future-oriented blueprint for sustainable mobility in Lagos. It merges technology, environmental stewardship and smart design to create waterways that are not just navigated, but optimised. This is the kind of innovative projects cities around the world are building to confront the twin challenges of urban population growth and climate change. Lagos is not waiting to catch up, we are setting the pace.”

The project, it was said, would reduce the negative impact of transport on health, while also reinforcing the State’s ability to fight climate change. It would promote inclusive, more resilient means of mobility.

The investment would bring decarbonised transportation in Lagos, reducing CO2 emissions by 41,000 tonnes yearly. It is expected to take 25,000 passengers yearly, saving travel time by 3hrs on each trip.

Sanwo-Olu said the investment’s objective was to make transportation through water seamless, reduce carbon footprint, the air cleaner and transform waterways from barriers of separation into corridors of opportunity.

The Governor said: “The launch of this project is more than a ceremonial curtain pull. It is a covenant with our people, our planet, and with future generations. With OMI-EKO, we are lifting not only boats but lives, businesses, and communities. We are signaling that Lagos is ready to lead Africa’s urban transition by this bold, sustainable, and inclusive investment.”

Former Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, who created LASWA in 2008, graced the ceremony to witness the historic project.

The former Works and Housing Minister hailed the Sanwo-Olu administration for nurturing the agency to a viable global entity.

Fashola said the OMI-EKO project would further expand the scope of the State’s integrated transportation network, expressing optimism that the project would not stall, given the commitment of the European partners.

Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Seun Osiyemi, said the project would unlock the full potential of Lagos inland waterways, bringing the final piece of the State’s Integrated Multimodal Transportation System to life.

“OMI-EKO aligns with broader Lagos Transport Policy, which promotes sustainability, inclusivity, and innovation, while ensuring that transport solutions serve the people while protecting the environment. The project is not just about ferry operations; it is about empowering communities, creating jobs, easing congestion, and reducing our carbon footprint.”

Special Adviser to the Governor on Blue Economy, Mr. Damilola Emmanuel, who doubles as LASWA’s head, noted that the OMI-EKO project was no longer a dream, but a reality that would be changing the course of transportation in Lagos.

He said the 70 hybrid electric ferries that would be deployed after the completion of the project would reduce pollutants’ emissions and boost clean mobility

The LASWA boss said 20 existing jetties would be upgraded with modern terminals across 15 major water routes.

Emmanuel said: “In the first phase, there will be dredging and channelisation of 15 ferry routes for safer and faster transport. Part of the benefits include technology transfer and capacity development for key agencies in the waterways, especially LASWA.

“There will be funding for the informal boat sector under our Vessel Industry. This is how we build a water-based economy that works for all — from operators to passengers, from private investors to our citizens.“

French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Mr. Jean-Noel Barrot, said the project received complete support from EU partners, given the untapped opportunities in Lagos waterways.

The envoy said the OMI-EKO project represented the “best possible” example of what partnership could achieve for the benefit of the people, pointing out that the development was part of the success of the bilateral cooperation reached during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent visit to the French President Emmanuel Macron.

The EU Ambassador in Nigeria, Mr. Gautier Mignot, noted the partnership was an historical milestone for Lagos and EU member states, stressing that the investment would enhance life quality.

“This investment supports development of 12 strategic waterways corridors to enhance secure and efficient sustainable transport networks. Four of these corridors are located in West Africa. We are proud to be part of this project which showcases all the aspects of global gateway development,” Mignot said.