The Nigerian police have fired tear gas to disperse protesters who had gathered in the capital, Abuja, over the continued detention of separatist leader Nnamdi Kanu.
The protesters, led by activist and publisher of the Sahara Reporters news site, Omoyele Sowore, demand the immediate release of Kanu, who is on trial on terrorism charges and heads the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (Ipob).
Kanu, who has been in detention since 2021, has denied the charges. He also holds British nationality, and Ipob seeks independence for what they call the Biafran nation in south-eastern Nigeria.
Eyewitnesses reported that police officers fired multiple rounds of tear gas at those who started gathering as early as 07:00 (06:00 GMT). The police also blocked major roads, causing heavy gridlock and confusion across several parts of the city.
Sowore stated on X that security operatives had arrested several individuals, including Kanu's family members and legal team, although police have not commented on the reported arrests.
Despite his ongoing battles with the Nigerian government, Kanu remains a cult hero to many of his supporters, especially in south-eastern Nigeria.
Ipob was banned as a terrorist organization in 2017. Its armed wing - the Eastern Security Network - has been implicated in violent acts in recent years.
Kanu's legal troubles began when he was first arrested in October 2015 on terrorism charges, later jumping bail in 2017. He was re-arrested in 2021 after a period of relative freedom, and a recent court ruling allowed his defense to begin on Thursday after arguing he had no case to answer.
