The Director of Mobilisation for the Take It Back Movement, Damilare Adenola, affirmed that the protest would go on as scheduled, both in Abuja and simultaneously in the South-Eastern states of the country, to pressure the government to release from custody Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the  Indigenous People of Biafra.

Recall that a Federal High Court in Abuja issued an interim order restraining the organisers from protesting near the Villa, the National Assembly, and other key government institutions.

Kanu is being detained on charges of terrorism, treason, and incitement, among others.

The Federal Government alleges he advocated for Biafra’s independence through controversial means, including inflammatory rhetoric on social media and Radio Biafra.

 The plan of the organisers to march on the Presidential Villa directly contravenes an interim injunction granted by Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

 The order, issued on Friday, followed an ex parte application filed by the Nigeria Police Force on behalf of the Federal Government

 The ruling explicitly restrained the organisers, led by a human rights activist and former Presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, from protesting in or around sensitive government locations. These areas include the Aso Rock Villa, the National Assembly Complex, the Force Headquarters, the Court of Appeal, Eagle Square, and Shehu Shagari Way.

 The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Federal Capital Territory Command, issued a firm caution to protesters against vandalising public or private property.

 FCT Commandant,  Olusola Odumosu, warned that the corps would not tolerate any form of destruction or theft “in the name of protest.”

 “The corps will not condone any form of destruction, vandalism or theft of public and private facilities in the name of protest.

Read Also: Nnamdi Kanu Fit For Trail – NMA

  “We are prepared, as always, to ensure there are no incidents of destruction of properties or threats to infrastructure and the peace in the territory,” he stated.

 Odumosu confirmed the deployment of personnel from specialised units and area commands in strategic locations and flashpoints across Abuja to ensure the safety of residents and protect critical national assets and infrastructure.

He stressed that while the corps respects the right to peaceful protest, any attempt to hijack the demonstration for criminal activities would be met with full legal consequences.

Source: Punch