A coalition under the banner of Rescue Alaigbo has written to the Department of State Services (DSS), requesting permission to stage a peaceful protest at the National Assembly on Thursday, October 16, 2025. The group said the protest is aimed at countering what it described as “politically motivated” calls for the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
In a letter addressed to the Director of the DSS, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, and signed by its co-convener, Chizorom Harrison Ofoegbu, popularly known as “Ijele Speaks”, the group identified itself as “a coalition of Nigerians committed to promoting national unity and justice for victims of insecurity in the South East.”
Rescue Alaigbo expressed dismay over what it termed attempts by “desperate politicians” to undermine the judicial process by demanding that the terrorism charges against Kanu and members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) be dropped.
“We have watched with utter disgust the mindless manner in which some political actors — most probably funded and backed by desperate politicians who seek nothing else but chaos as a means of attaining relevance — are trying to append the judicial process by demanding the abrupt discontinuation of an existential terrorism case of Nnamdi Kanu and his IPOB/ESN bandits,” the group said in its letter.
The coalition stated that its planned demonstration would serve as a public expression of its disapproval of lawmakers and public figures “shamelessly demanding” Kanu’s unconditional release while ignoring “the victims and communities destroyed to the point of hopelessness by the activities of IPOB and ESN criminals.”
According to the group, between 20 and 50 persons are expected to participate in the protest. It urged the DSS to grant permission for what it called a “noble patriotic duty” aimed at defending justice and preserving national unity.
The development comes amid a growing campaign led by human rights activist Omoyele Sowore, who has been mobilising citizens and political figures across the country to demand Kanu’s release. Sowore, a former presidential candidate, has announced a protest march to Aso Rock Villa scheduled for October 20, 2025, under the hashtag #FreeNnamdiKanuNow.
Sowore recently met with former President Goodluck Jonathan, who reportedly expressed concern over Kanu’s prolonged detention and promised to discuss the matter with President Bola Tinubu. He also reached out to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who publicly endorsed the campaign.
The Presidency, however, has strongly criticised Sowore’s movement. Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga described the campaign as “anarchistic,” accusing Sowore of seeking to “incite disorder and undermine the rule of law.” Onanuga maintained that Kanu is facing treason charges and that the government will not bow to “mob-driven pressure.”
Meanwhile, Rescue Alaigbo’s co-convener, Ofoegbu, is no stranger to controversy. The blogger and digital activist was detained for over 15 months at Ikoyi Correctional Centre in Lagos over an alleged defamation case involving Evangelist Ebuka Obi, the Spiritual Director of Zion Movement Outreach Ministry. Although granted bail, Ofoegbu’s release was delayed due to repeated absences of the prosecution in court. He was eventually freed on June 27, 2025, following a court order.
With both sides — pro-release and anti-release — mobilising ahead of mid-October, Abuja appears set for a week of politically charged demonstrations that could test the government’s handling of civic dissent and judicial independence.