00:00Nigeria Police Force, NPF under the leadership of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokan who is currently in the United States, US, attending the International Association of Chiefs of Police, IACP Annual Conference in Denver, Colorado, USA, alongside other senior police officers has warned troublemakers to resist the temptation of hijacking the free Namdekalu protests slated to hold today across the West
00:29Africa country by the organizers and other group of Nigerians to demand the release of the detained Biafra Republic agitation leader, Mazinamdekalu. Also, the NPF reminded the organizers and the protesters to respect the federal high court order that restricted them from staging the protest in certain areas in Abuja, such areas which included Aso Rock Villa and its environs, the National Assembly Complex, Force Headquarters, the Court of Appeal, Eagle Square and
00:59Shehu Shigari Way, while assuring the protesters of protection. The NPF in a statement issued and made available by the force spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyan, indicated that, the Nigeria Police Force reaffirms its unwavering commitment to upholding the rule of law and maintaining public peace in accordance with constitutional provisions.
01:20This follows the subsisting order of the federal high court, Abuja Division, given on the 17th of October 2025, by Honorable Justice M. G. Umar, in suit number FHC, ABJ, CS, 2202-2025, Federal Republic of Nigeria v. Omiyele Sawore and four others.
01:44The order restrains the respondents and any other persons or groups acting under their instruction from staging protests within and around Aso Rock Villa and its environs, the National Assembly Complex, Force Headquarters, the Court of Appeal, Eagle Square and Shehu Shigari Way.
02:01In deference to the authority of the court and in line with the constitutional mandate of the police to enforce law and order, the force hereby calls on all groups, whether in support of or opposed to the ongoing agitation for the release of Mazi Namdi Kano, to adhere strictly to the provisions of the court order.
02:20The directive remains binding and enforceable pending further judicial proceedings.
02:25The Nigeria Police Force recognizes and respects the rights of citizens to peaceful assembly and expression.
02:32However, such rights must be exercised responsibly and within the limits of the law, particularly where public safety, national security, and the rights of other citizens are concerned.
02:43The court's intervention is therefore a safeguard, not a suppression, of constitutional freedoms.
02:50Accordingly, all intending protesters and counter-protest groups are strongly advised to avoid restricted areas and to refrain from any act capable of provoking confrontation or disturbing public order.
03:03The force will ensure the free flow of traffic, protection of lives and property, and security of all law-abiding citizens.
03:10Any person or group that uses protests as cover to incite violence, carry or use offensive weapons, vandalize public or private property, kidnap, or engage in acts likely to cause loss of life or serious injury will be dealt with decisively.
03:27Offenders will be arrested, subjected to full investigation, and prosecuted under relevant criminal laws, including laws relating to public order, violent conduct and terrorism where applicable.
03:39Those who incite others via social media or other platforms should note that digital evidence will be used in investigations and prosecutions.
03:48The Inspector General of Police, IGP Karyode Adeolu Egbetokan, has directed the FCT Commissioner of Police and relevant operational commands to ensure strict enforcement of the court's order,
04:01maintain visible and strategic deployments across vulnerable locations, and ensure the safety of residents and lawful activities in the FCT.
04:11All organizers and participants are therefore advised to avoid the restricted areas specified by the court,
04:18refrain from carrying weapons, engaging in provocative conduct, or encouraging others to breach the law,
04:25and channel grievances through the courts and other lawful avenues rather than the streets.
04:30The Nigeria Police Force assures law-abiding Nigerians that adequate security arrangements have been made to protect lives and property.
04:40Non-participants should go about their lawful businesses without fear.
04:44Anyone found to be in breach of the court's order or in contempt of the law will be arrested and prosecuted.
04:51We have reported that the founder of Sahara Reporters News Media and the organizer of the Free Namdi Kalu protest,
04:57Omiyele Sawari has refuted and debunked the reports circulating in some sections of the media that the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has stopped the upcoming Monday-October 20 mass protest organized to demand the release of the detained Biafra Republic agitation leader,
05:14Mazi Namdi Kalu, saying,
05:17The media report is false and a calculated attempt to distract members of the public from coming out to join the protest,
05:24adding, Namdi Kalu is so sick that the people must come out now to set him free.
05:29The sickness as alleged by Omiyele Sawari apparently challenged the medical report issued by the Nigerian Medical Association,
05:38NMA who had submitted its panel report before the trial court on Thursday that Namdi Kalu is fit to face trial,
05:45that,
05:46The sickness is not life-threatening,
05:48but,
05:49Punch newspaper reporter at the court on Thursday reported that it was the Department of State Services,
05:54DSS lawyer,
05:56who happened to be one of the parties in the dispute that presented the NMA medical report before the court,
06:02We are yet to ascertain the independency,
06:05fairness,
06:05objectivity,
06:07accuracy and transparency of the Nigerian Medical Association,
06:11NMA in conducting the medical examination.
06:14We have reported that Justice Mohammed Gaba Umar of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Friday
06:20apparently rejected the plans by the Inspector General of Police,
06:24IGP Kar Yode Egbetokan to stop the upcoming Monday October 20th plan mass protests by Nigerians
06:31to demand the release of the detained Biafra Republic agitation leader,
06:36Mazi Namdi Kano,
06:37but,
06:38according to the organizer of the protest,
06:41Omiyele Sawari,
06:42after the judge initially declined to grant the Nigeria police force an ex-party motion to stop the planned protest in the open court,
06:50the Federal High Court judge,
06:52Justice Umar reportedly granted the motion in chambers,
06:56imposing a ban on protests at Aso Rock Villa,
06:59National Assembly,
07:00or Unity Fountain in Abuja,
07:02we await a certified true copy of the order,
07:05which our lawyers will review,
07:07the protest remains unstoppable,
07:09while this is ongoing,
07:10the United States,
07:11U.S. Embassy in Nigeria has warned America's citizens to be far from the protest areas
07:17and limit their movements in the Nigeria capital city, Abuja,
07:22saying,
07:22the planned protest may lead to disruptions and violence.
07:26We had also reported that the Nigerian Army Authority has issued a statement,
07:31denying threat messages issued against members of the public ahead of the planned mass protests slated for October 20th,
07:382025 to demand for the release and freedom of the detained Biafra Republic agitation leader,
07:45Marzi Namdi Karno,
07:46just as the organizer and chief campaigner,
07:49Omiyele Sawari,
07:50the publisher of Sahara Reporters News Media,
07:53met to seek understanding with the former president of Nigeria,
07:56Goodluck Abele Jonathan,
07:58who,
07:59according to Sawari,
08:00promised to visit President Bola Ahmed Talubu to discuss the issue with him.
08:04Ossas who are on level bringing youth the news in a more digital way.
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