Abuja commuters paid the price as they were on Monday, October 20, forced to trek long distances following security blockade of routes leading to Eagle Square and the Federal Secretariat, where #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protesters had planned to stage protests against the detention of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The checkpoints had caused gridlock, with commuters from Bwari, Ushafa, Dutse, Mararaba, and parts of Kubwa stranded enroute to the city centre.
According to Persecondnews, a massive deployment of soldiers, police, and DSS operatives began before dawn, with security vehicles used to block all access to the intended protest venue.
The operatives turned back workers and private citizens attempting to reach their offices, leaving many stranded.
The blockade immediately resulted in a severe traffic gridlock on roads around Eagle Square, as commuters and vehicles became severely congested and struggled to exit the area.
Persecondnews recalls that the Nigerian Police, in a statement on Saturday, October 18, warned organisers of the protest against demonstrating within the Presidential Villa grounds.
The Force, in a statement released by its Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, vowed that anyone who violates the order will be arrested and prosecuted.
The warning came amidst a Federal High Court, Abuja, ruling on Friday, October 17, in suit no. FHC/ABJ/CS/2202/2025, which restrained the organisers from carrying out protests around the Presidential Villa and its environs, as well as the National Assembly Complex, Force Headquarters, the Court of Appeal, Eagle Square, and Shehu Shagari Way.
Persecondnews recalls that Kanu has been in DSS detention in Abuja since he was rearrested in Kenya and subjected to extraordinary rendition back to Nigeria on June 27, 2021.
He was arrested by Kenyan security operatives in collaboration with Nigerian authorities.
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