Security Alert: US Warns Citizens as Abuja Set for Nnamdi Kanu Protest

The United States Embassy in Abuja has warned its citizens to stay cautious ahead of a planned protest in Nigeria’s capital city on Monday, October 20, 2025.

The demonstration, organised under the hashtag #FreeNnamdiKanuNow, is led by activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore. The protest is expected to gather large crowds at Eagle Square and the Central Business District, with a planned march toward the Aso Rock Presidential Villa to demand the release of detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

In a statement released on its official website on Friday, the U.S. Embassy advised Americans in Abuja to avoid the protest areas, warning that the gathering could lead to roadblocks, traffic congestion, and possible clashes between protesters and security agencies.

The advisory further urged U.S. citizens to limit movement within the city on the protest day and to keep their mobile phones charged in case of emergencies. Parents were advised to keep their children at home, while domestic workers commuting from outside the city were also told to stay back.

The Embassy encouraged Americans to remain alert in public places such as malls, cinemas, and religious centres, and to monitor local media for real-time updates.

The planned protest follows renewed calls for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, who has been in detention since June 2021 after his arrest and extradition from Kenya. He is currently facing terrorism-related charges at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The Embassy’s alert stressed the need for U.S. citizens to avoid large gatherings and exercise maximum caution throughout the demonstration period.