Nigerian police use teargas to quash protests over separatist leader's detention

NIGERIA-BIAFRA

Nigerian police disperse protesters demanding the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, in Abuja,  on October 20, 2025.

Photo credit: Reuters

Nigerian police fired teargas on Monday and occupied major roads in the capital Abuja to stop demonstrations called to protest the continued detention of separatist leader Nnamdi Kanu, who is on trial facing terrorism charges.

Kanu, who holds British citizenship, leads the banned Indigenous People of Biafra Movement (IPOB) that advocates for the secession of southeastern Nigeria, where the majority belong to the Igbo ethnic group.