Supporters of the detained separatist leader Nnamdi Kanu have announced plans for a large-scale protest in southeastern Nigeria, calling for his release from government custody.
The planned demonstration, organized by a coalition of pro-Biafra activists, is expected to take place in Aba on Thursday, March 12, 2026. Organizers say the protest described as a “One Million March” is aimed at drawing massive public attention to their demand for the freedom of Nnamdi Kanu.
The coalition, which identifies itself as the Coalition of Lovers of Freedom, has been mobilizing supporters through social media and other platforms. Flyers promoting the rally describe it as the “mother of all marches” and encourage sympathizers across the South-East region to participate in what organizers say will be a peaceful gathering.
Nnamdi Kanu is the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a separatist movement advocating for the creation of an independent Biafran state. His continued detention since his rearrest in 2021 after being returned to Nigeria under disputed circumstances has remained a major rallying point for supporters of the movement.
The march is expected to take place in Abia State, where tensions surrounding the Biafra agitation have periodically surfaced in recent years.
Security agencies in Nigeria have repeatedly cautioned against unauthorized protests linked to separatist activities, warning that such gatherings could pose risks to public safety. As of the time of reporting, authorities have not announced whether the planned march will be allowed to proceed.
Political observers note that the planned protest reflects the continuing political and emotional divisions surrounding the Biafra issue in Nigeria, a debate rooted in historical grievances dating back to the Nigerian Civil War of the late 1960s.