The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCOS) has declared all custodial centres across the country as “red zones” in response to the ongoing #FreeNnamdiKanu protest, warning that it will not tolerate any form of attack on its facilities.

This was contained in a statement issued on Monday by Abubakar Umar, the NCOS spokesperson, as pro-Biafra agitators took to the streets in parts of Abuja and other cities to demand the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Umar stated that the service had placed all its facilities on maximum alert and strengthened surveillance mechanisms nationwide to prevent security breaches. He cautioned individuals or groups against any attempt to disrupt the peace around correctional centres, adding that officers had been instructed to respond decisively to threats.

“The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) wishes to inform the general public that all Custodial Centres in Nigeria remain red zones and should not be visited by mischief makers under any guise,” the statement read in part.

It further noted that “any unauthorized gathering, protest, or attempt to breach the security of any of our facilities will be met with appropriate force in accordance with extant laws.”

The NCOS said that while it respects citizens’ rights to peaceful protest, it would not compromise on the safety and integrity of custodial centres, which it described as critical national security assets.

“The Service remains committed to ensuring the safety of inmates, staff, and host communities. Our facilities are fortified and security agencies are working in synergy to forestall any form of attack or breakdown of law and order,” Umar added.

He urged Nigerians to cooperate with security agencies and avoid being misled by groups or individuals with intentions that could undermine national peace and security.

The warning came as tension rose in Abuja on Monday morning following reports that police fired teargas at commuters and protesters gathering at designated points for the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow demonstration.

The protest, initiated by Omoyele Sowore, publisher of Sahara Reporters and former presidential candidate, called for the immediate release of Nnamdi Kanu, who has been in detention since 2021 on terrorism-related charges.

Security operatives had earlier blocked major roads in the Central Business District, resulting in traffic congestion, while several arrests were reported by eyewitnesses and civil rights activists.

As of press time, the Federal Capital Territory Police Command had yet to issue an official statement on the reported arrests or use of teargas, but normalcy was gradually returning to some parts of the city.

The situation, however, has heightened concerns over the government’s handling of pro-Biafra activism and its implications for national stability, particularly in the South-East region where Kanu commands a strong following.

Chukwuma Soludo, Governor of Anambra State, says he does not support separatist agitation in the south-east and believes the region’s development is closely tied to its continued unity within Nigeria.

Speaking on Sunday Politics, a programme on Channels Television, Soludo said that while he respects the right to peaceful protest, he does not share Nnamdi Kanu’s secessionist vision for the Igbo nation.

He noted that the Monday “sit-at-home” directive has largely lost traction in Anambra, where residents are now going about their normal business.

“We’ve made it very clear that if you are protesting or agitating for anything, you are holding yourself down by killing your own people under the pretext of Monday’s sit-at-home,” he said.

According to him:

“Anybody sitting at home now is doing so out of his own preference, not because of insecurity, as it were, because everywhere is secure on Mondays.”

Soludo pointed out that both Kanu and his group Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) have publicly disowned the sit-at-home order, attributing the directive to criminal elements rather than the organisation.

“Even Nnamdi Kanu himself and his IPOB are on record to have said they did not support the Monday sit-at-home; it was some criminal elements doing that. And we thank them for their word,” he added.

He further stressed that his administration is focused more on governance and delivering results than on activism.

“As for those who are agitating or going to have demonstrations, they have a right to do so… In a democracy, everybody has freedom of expression. But mine is to govern. While social activists do their job, I will do my own.”

Soludo said he previously urged Ohanaeze Ndigbo and other regional leaders to engage Kanu in dialogue once he is released, noting that no single person holds a monopoly on ideas about the future of the south-east.

“I said, why don’t they tell Nnamdi Kanu to come and sit with everybody else, because nobody has a greater right than the other? We are all Igbos, and we are all entitled to our views,” he said.

The governor reiterated his belief in a united Nigeria, describing the Igbo people as a community whose strength and prosperity depend on co-existence.

“I am of the view that the Igbo man needs Nigeria and Nigeria needs the Igbo man,” Soludo said.

“The Igbo man needs Africa, and Africa needs the Igbo man. We are an itinerant people who cannot afford to be intolerant. That’s my view.”

He added:

“Do we need Nigeria? Absolutely! And Nigeria needs us. That is my very deep belief… I canvass it with no apologies and hold on to that. I’m prepared to debate this with anyone on the future prosperity of the Igbos.”

Soludo’s comments come amid growing calls for the release of Nnamdi Kanu and heightened mobilisation for the nationwide protest tagged #FreeNnamdiKanuNow, scheduled for October 20 in Abuja.

Kanu has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since his re-arrest in June 2021.

The internal crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has deepened as the party’s National Secretary, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, alleged that his signature was forged on an official letter sent to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) notifying the body of the party’s forthcoming national convention in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Anyanwu, a known ally of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, made the allegation in separate petitions to INEC, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Inspector-General of Police.

In the petitions dated October 15 and obtained by PUNCH on Sunday, Anyanwu stated that he never signed the August 29 letter to INEC notifying the commission of the planned convention scheduled for November 15 and 16, 2025.

Addressing his petition to the acting Chairman of INEC, the PDP scribe titled it “RE: Peoples Democratic Party Year 2025 Elective National Convention: Petition Against Forgery and Cloning of My Signature.”

Anyanwu maintained that the document in question was neither authorised nor issued by him.

“My attention has been drawn to the above titled official letter to the Independent National Electoral Commission with Ref. No. PDP/DOM/GF.2/Vol.1M/25-140 dated Monday, August 25, 2025, purportedly signed by me. Regrettably, the quoted letter was never signed, authorised, or known to me. It is shocking to have a forged or cloned version of my signature on the letter,” he wrote.

The party official called for a full investigation into what he described as a criminal act allegedly perpetrated by PDP officers in collaboration with insiders within INEC.

“I therefore request that this criminal conduct by officers of the Peoples Democratic Party and their collaborators within INEC be investigated and the culprits prosecuted. Attached herewith is an excerpt of the forged document for ease of reference,” he added.

In separate letters to the DSS Director-General and the Inspector-General of Police titled “Petition Against Forgery and Cloning of My Signature,” Anyanwu repeated his demand for a thorough investigation and prosecution of those responsible.

The latest development further compounds the PDP’s troubles ahead of its scheduled convention, which has already been fraught with internal disagreements and leadership disputes.

Despite the party’s decision to host the convention in Ibadan, discontent remains high among Wike’s allies, who have expressed dissatisfaction with the leadership of the acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum.

Their grievances centre on the unresolved tussle over South-South zonal leadership, control of party structures in several states — including Cross River, Akwa Ibom and Plateau — and disagreements over the micro-zoning formula for key national offices.

The internal divisions have now extended to the judiciary. In suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/2120/25, PDP chairmen from Imo and Abia states, Austin Nwachukwu and Amah Abraham Nnanna, along with the South-South Zonal Secretary, Turnah Alabah George, accused the Damagum-led National Working Committee (NWC) of violating the party’s constitution and internal electoral guidelines.

The suit lists INEC, the PDP, Damagum, and several senior members as defendants.

During Tuesday’s proceedings before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, the case was adjourned to October 16 after a dispute over which lawyer was legally authorised to represent the party.

Two Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Kamaldeen Ajibade and Chief Chris Uche, both laid claim to being the PDP’s official counsel. The judge ordered them to present proof of authorisation before the next sitting and fixed October 20 for substantive hearing, with all parties directed to exchange court documents by October 17.

Meanwhile, a letter dated October 16 and signed by 14 members of the NWC reaffirmed the decision to remove the National Legal Adviser, citing alleged compromise, and to appoint Uche (SAN) as his replacement.

Reacting, Ajibade insisted that he remains the party’s substantive Legal Adviser, arguing that only a national convention — not the NWC — has the constitutional power to remove him from office.

Anyanwu’s petitions to security agencies and INEC have now intensified uncertainty over the PDP’s upcoming convention, fuelling concerns that the opposition party’s internal strife — now marred by forgery allegations and courtroom battles — could derail preparations for its crucial leadership transition.

Credit: The Punch