Chaos in Abuja as Police Detain American, Local Journalists at #FreeNnamdiKanu Protest

• An American AFP journalist, Nick Roll, and his Nigerian colleague, John Okunyomih, were arrested while covering the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest in Abuja.
• The duo were filming near the Transcorp Hilton when police fired teargas at protesters and allegedly assaulted them, damaging their equipment and seizing their phones.
• Roll was released shortly after, while Okunyomih was later freed from the FCT CID.
• The protest, led by Omoyele Sowore, demanded the release of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, who remains in DSS custody.

An American journalist with Agence France-Presse (AFP), Nick Roll, was arrested on Monday while covering the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest in Abuja.

Roll was detained alongside Nigerian videographer John Okunyomih at the entrance of the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, where police fired teargas at protesters demanding the release of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

Eyewitnesses said the journalists were filming the chaos when security operatives assaulted them, damaging their camera and seizing their phones. Roll was released shortly after, while Okunyomih was taken to the FCT CID before being freed later in the day.

Police also arrested Kanu’s lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, during the protest led by activist Omoyele Sowore. The rally was organised to demand Kanu’s release from DSS custody, where he has been held since 2021.

Meanwhile A viral video has sparked outrage after police officers reportedly fired teargas at protesters demanding the release of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu in Abuja.

The peaceful #FreeNnamdiKanuNow rally, led by activist Omoyele Sowore, took place on Monday in the Federal Capital Territory. Sowore, Kanu’s lawyer Aloy Ejimakor, and other supporters were seen chanting for Kanu’s freedom before police allegedly used teargas to disperse the crowd.

Kanu has been in DSS custody since his 2021 arrest in Kenya despite a court order granting him bail. Rights groups and activists have continued to describe his detention as unlawful and politically motivated.

The incident has drawn widespread condemnation on social media, with many accusing authorities of using excessive force against peaceful protesters.