The Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC), the apex socio-cultural body of Igbo youths worldwide, has announced an extension of the ongoing #FreeNnamdiKanu protest to Saturday, October 25, 2025, under the theme “Operation Occupy Abuja.”

In a press statement issued on Monday and signed by its National President, Igboayaka Igboayaka, and the Secretary-General, Comrade Ifeanyichukwu Nweke, the OYC described the protest led by human rights activist Omoyele Sowore as “a turning point between political oppressors led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Nigerian people.”

The statement followed what the group called “a comprehensive assessment” of the October 20 protest, during which the Nigeria Police Force, under the leadership of Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, in joint forces with the military, the Department of State Services (DSS), and other security forces, committed serious human rights violations against peaceful demonstrators.

“The use of tear gas, gunshots, beating, harassment against peaceful protesters, which resulted in the illegal arrest of Prince Emmanuel Kanu, brother to Nnamdi Kanu, Barrister Aloy Ejimakor, legal counsel and Bar. Mandela Umez has exposed Nigeria and put it in the spotlight as a country that violates the fundamental human rights under the tyrannical and barbaric administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” the statement said.

The group demanded the immediate release of those arrested within 24 hours, warning that continued suppression of civil rights would further deepen national discontent.

“The Inspector General of Police, Kayode, should direct the immediate release of Prince Emma Kanu, Bar. Aloy Ejimakor, Bar. Mandela Umez, and others within 24 hours,” the group demanded.

Citing what it called the Nigerian government’s “non-compliance with and disregard for fundamental human rights,” OYC said the decision to extend the protest and lockdown was necessary to compel the government to accede to the people’s demands.

“That non-compliance with, respect for, and protection of human fundamental rights by the Nigerian federal government under Bola Tinubu’s administration has resulted in the extension of the national lockdown from 20th to Saturday, 26th Oct 2025.

“The notion that absolute power is vested in the people has been undermined by the long-standing docility of Nigerians, allowing a small minority of political oppressors to hold sway over the majority, covering over 95% of the Nigerian populace, must come to an abrupt end,” the group declared.

OYC asked President Tinubu to take immediate steps to grant the unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

The group described Kanu’s continued detention as an “injustice that symbolizes the wider failures of Nigeria’s justice system.”

The group also warned of possible instability if protesters’ rights were further violated.

According to OYC, “Due to the prevailing national emergency, President Bola Tinubu must instruct all Nigerian security chiefs to safeguard the fundamental human rights of the Release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu protesters, ensuring that Nigeria does not descend into chaos, as witnessed in Nepal and Madagascar.”

The group called on the Nigerian government to use the current crisis as an opportunity to address the country’s deep-rooted challenges, including insecurity, hunger, and multiple taxation, and to promote national reconciliation and healing.

The group said, “It is our recommendation that President Bola Tinubu’s administration capitalize on the present opportunity to tackle Nigeria’s problems, insecurity, hunger, multiple taxation, and work towards national reconciliation, healing by addressing the protesters and releasing Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

“Nigerians must rise now, recognizing that the injustice against Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), reflects the broader injustices affecting Nigeria in various ways, and if left unchecked, will become a pervasive issue within Nigeria’s justice system.

“The shooting of armless and innocent protesters by the Nigeria Police Force under Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, is a deliberate provocation, making the protest a Turning point between political Oppressors and Nigerians.”