Residents across Ebonyi State observed a widespread sit-at-home protest on Monday, shutting down major economic activities in a unified call for the release of detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
The protest also underscored urgent demands for decisive government action to address the escalating insecurity in Nigeria’s South-East region.
The shutdown saw roads deserted, shops closed, and public transportation at a standstill as residents heeded the informal directive linked to the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow campaign, initiated by prominent human rights activist Sowore Omoyale.
This peaceful protest marks a growing collective dissatisfaction among South-East communities with the federal government’s handling of Kanu’s detention and the broader socio-political challenges confronting the region.
Speaking to journalists, several residents described the shutdown as a significant indicator of the region’s mounting frustration.
Alex Obasi, a public servant based in Ebonyi, said, “The unity displayed by Nigerians, especially in the South-East, is unprecedented. The government must listen and prioritize dialogue over force to resolve this crisis.”
Obasi, who visited various towns throughout Ebonyi during the protest, confirmed the widespread compliance with the sit-at-home order and noted the absence of violence.
“Everywhere was shut — banks, markets, mechanic workshops, even gas stations didn’t open. The peaceful nature of the protest sends a clear message to the government that people are unhappy with the current approach,” he explained.
Local business owners acknowledged the economic toll of the shutdown but emphasized that the government’s failure to address Kanu’s detention only exacerbates unrest.
Chigozie Okorozi, a trader in Abakaliki, lamented, “Today’s closure means lost income for many. Yet, releasing Kanu is a simple step the government can take to ease tensions. He has not been proven guilty of any crime.”
Observations by our correspondent confirmed that commercial activities were minimal, with only a few markets partially open in Abakaliki. Major routes such as Ezzama, Oshiri, Onicha, and Okposi were largely empty, while key fuel stations like Osborne in Uburu remained closed.
Civil rights activists in Ebonyi have accused the federal government of ignoring court rulings that have cleared Kanu, describing his continued detention as a grave injustice.
Friday Erige, a civil rights advocate, said, “This is victimization. If Kanu were from another region, he would have been released already. The government’s approach only fuels resentment.”
Erige also appealed to South-East political leaders and civil society organizations to intensify support for the movement, stressing the need for diplomatic engagement.
“If the government can negotiate with armed groups in the North, why not with Kanu? His grievances are political and deserve a peaceful resolution,” he urged.
Concerns were also raised over reports of security forces using tear gas and live ammunition against peaceful protesters in Abuja and other locations, warning that such heavy-handed tactics risk igniting further unrest.
Simon Ogbonna, an Ebonyi resident, recalled the EndSARS protests, noting, “Those demonstrations started peacefully but turned violent after the government’s aggressive response. The authorities must exercise restraint.
"Nigerians are already burdened by economic hardship, and tensions are high.”
Many Ebonyi residents emphasized that sustainable peace requires the federal government to engage genuinely with the region’s underlying issues, including political marginalization, economic exclusion, and insecurity.
“This country belongs to all of us,” said Helen Nwoda, a community leader. “Dialogue, not detention, is the key to lasting peace. Nnamdi Kanu deserves to be freed, and the root causes of agitation must be addressed.”
As the South-East grapples with insecurity and political tension, the growing #FreeNnamdiKanuNow movement hascsignaled a pivotal moment, one that demands urgent, peaceful, and inclusive solutions from the Nigerian government.
