In compliance with a court order, the Nigeria Police Force Sunday warned intending protesters, agitating for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kalu against any form of protest around the Aso Rock and its environs.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that this was contained in a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin in Abuja.
He said the court, in a suit between the Federal Republic of Nigeria v. Omoyele Sowore & 4 others, on Oct. 17, restrained any form of protest around the Aso Rock and its environs.
“The order restrains the respondents and any other persons or groups acting under their instruction from staging protests within and around Aso Rock Villa and its environs.
“Other areas are the National Assembly Complex, Force Headquarters, the Court of Appeal, Eagle Square and Shehu Shagari Way.
“Accordingly, all intending protesters and counter-protest groups are strongly advised to avoid restricted areas and to refrain from any act, capable of provoking confrontation or disturbing public order,” he said.
The police spokesman said the force would ensure the free flow of traffic, protection of lives and property, and security of all law-abiding citizens.
According to him, any person or group that uses protests as cover to incite violence, carry or use offensive weapons, vandalise public or private property, kidnap, or engage in acts likely to cause loss of life or serious injury will be dealt with decisively.
He said offenders would be arrested, subjected to full investigation, and prosecuted under relevant criminal laws, including laws relating to public order, violent conduct and terrorism where applicable.
Hundeyin said those who incite others via social media or other platforms would be investigated and prosecuted, using digital evidence.
He said the Inspector General of Police (I-G), Mr Kayode Egbetokun, had directed the Commissioner of Police (CP) in charge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and relevant operational commands to ensure strict enforcement of the court’s order.
Hundeyin said the I-G had directed the CP to maintain visible and strategic deployments across vulnerable locations, and ensure the safety of residents and lawful activities in the FCT.
He urged organisers of the protest and participants to avoid the restricted areas specified by the court and refrain from carrying weapons, engaging in provocative conduct, or encouraging others to breach the law.
Hundeyin also urged the protesters to channel their grievances through the courts and other lawful avenues rather than the streets.
The police spokesman said adequate security arrangements had been made to protect lives and property of law-abiding Nigerians.
He enjoined those, not engaging in the protest to go about their lawful businesses without fear as anyone found to be in breach of the court’s order or in contempt of the law and be arrested and prosecuted.
…NSCDC warns
Similarly, the FCT Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has cautioned protesters of the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow# movement to desist from vandalising Critical National Asset and Infrastructure (CNAI) in the territory.
The NSCDC FCT Commandant, Dr Olusola Odumosu, in a statement signed Sunday in Abuja, by the command’s spokesperson, DSC Monica Ojobi.
Odumosu called on citizens, in support or against the planned rally, to adhere strictly to the provisions of the court order.
“The corps will not condone any form of destruction, vandalism or theft of public and private facilities in the name of protest,” he said.
According to him, the Corps has massively deployed officers and men to protect all CNAI as well as ensure the protection of residents across the FCT before, during and after the protest.
“We are prepared as always to ensure there are no incidents of destruction of properties or threats to Infrastructure and the peace in the territory.
“The deployed officers and men were drawn from specialised units, including Area Commands and Divisions, and have been properly briefed on the assignment as well as precautions to adhere to during the rally,” he said.
Odumosu said personnel had been warned not to shoot, harass or intimidate any law abiding citizen, but criminals and vandals trying to hijack the situation will not be condoned.
He further urged the deployed men to be civil by adopting the non-kinetic approach while carrying out the mandates of the corps.
The commandant, however, warned those with the intention of hijacking or disrupting the proposed peaceful protest to desist as anyone caught with criminal intentions will be arrested and dealt with according to the extant laws.
He urged all law-abiding citizens to go about their normal activities as deployment has been made to strategic locations and identified flash points to maintain peace and order.
..The court order
The Federal High Court in Abuja had, last week restrained Sowore and others from protesting in some areas in Abuja, including the Aso Rock Villa.
The court also barred the protesters from anywhere close to the villa, National Assembly, Force Headquarters, Court of Appeal, Eagle Square and Shehu Shagari Way, pending the hearing of the motion on notice.
The new order, which came via an ex-parte motion was moved by the police lawyer, Wisdom Madaki, on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN) and was granted by Justice Mohammed Umar.
The new development was contrary to the earlier media reports in circulation.
The certified true copy of the enrolled order, signed by the court Registrar, Mr Kasim Muazu, and the presiding judge, Justice Umar, was made available to newsmen in Abuja.
The judge also made an order of abridgement of time “within which the respondents will respond to the application on notice to cause the ex-parte order to be set aside on Monday, the 20th of October, 2025 at 9.00am.”
This was also contrary to some media reports that Justice Umar adjourned the matter until Oct. 21 for the parties to appear in court.
“The respondents are hereby restrained in the interim from protesting in the following Areas; Aso Rock Villa, or anywhere close to Villa, National Assembly, Force Headquarters, Court of Appeal, Eagle Square and on Shehu Shagari way pending the hearing of the motion on notice.
“The court hereby abridged the time within which the respondents will respond to the application on notice to cause this ex-parte order to be set aside on Monday, the 20th of October, 2025 at 9.00am.
“The order of this court together with the motion on notice be served on the respondents today, Friday, the 17th day of October, 2025,” the judge ordered.
Justice Umar subsequently adjourned the matter until Oct. 20 for hearing of the motion on notice.
