The Nigerian police have fired tear gas to disperse protesters who had gathered in the capital, Abuja, over the continued detention of separatist leader Nnamdi Kanu.
The protesters, led by activist and publisher of the Sahara Reporters news site, Omoyele Sowore, want the immediate release of Kanu, who is on trial on terrorism charges and heads the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (Ipob).
Kanu, who has been in detention since 2021, has denied the charges. He also holds British nationality.
Ipob is seeking independence for what they call the Biafran nation in south-eastern Nigeria.
Eyewitnesses reported multiple rounds of tear gas fired at protesters gathering from as early as 07:00. Police blocked major roads, causing heavy gridlock and confusion across the city.
Sowore mentioned arrests made by security operatives, including several individuals connected to Kanu's family and legal team, but police have not commented on these reports.
Despite his ongoing battles with the Nigerian government, Kanu remains a cult hero to many supporters, particularly in southeastern Nigeria.
Ipob, designated as a terrorist organization in 2017, has faced allegations of violence linked to its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network.
Kanu's legal team's defense is set to commence as they navigate through legal constraints over the terrorism charges that have persisted since his initial 2015 arrest.
