Amnesty International Reacts As Police Disperse Free Nnamdi Kanu Protesters In Abuja | READ DETAILS

... Rights group raises alarm over alleged arrests of peaceful protesters, demands immediate release and respect for constitutional freedoms.

Human rights watchdog Amnesty International has raised strong concerns over reports of attempts by Nigerian security operatives to crack down on peaceful protesters currently demonstrating in Abuja, demanding the immediate release of detained IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

The organization, in a statement released on Monday, described the reported arrests of some demonstrators as "disturbing and unacceptable,ÔÇØ insisting that Nigerians have a constitutional right to peaceful assembly and expression without fear of intimidation or harassment.

Amnesty International stated that "those arrested must be released immediately,ÔÇØ emphasizing that any act capable of undermining freedom of assembly "is illegal and portrays unacceptable intolerance of peaceful dissent.ÔÇØ

The rights group also reminded the Nigerian government of its obligation under both local and international human rights laws, including the 1999 Constitution, the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) - all of which Nigeria has ratified.

"The authorities must show a clear commitment to upholding Nigeria's constitutional and international obligations by allowing people to freely exercise their rights,ÔÇØ Amnesty International declared.

The statement comes amid eyewitness reports that security operatives were deployed to disperse protesters who gathered in the nation's capital, Abuja, carrying placards and chanting solidarity songs demanding Kanu's freedom.

The protesters argue that Nnamdi Kanu has been unlawfully detained despite multiple court rulings ordering his release. Videos circulating online show large crowds calling on President Bola Tinubu's administration to comply with court judgments and respect the rule of law.

Amnesty International's latest position adds to mounting pressure on the federal government to end the prolonged detention of Kanu, which continues to spark human rights debates both locally and internationally.