Pro-Kanu Supporters Stage Massive Protest in Aba, Demand Nnamdi Kanu's Release

 Hundreds, of supporters of Nnamdi Kanu gathered in the commercial hub of Aba, Abia State, on Thursday, March 12, 2026, for a large-scale demonstration calling for the immediate release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Organised under the banner of the Coalition of Lovers of Freedom and billed as a “One Million March,” the event drew crowds from various parts of the Southeast and beyond, turning major streets into a sea of placards, banners, and chants echoing demands for justice and freedom.

The protest, which kicked off peacefully in the morning, saw participants marching through key areas of Aba, a city long seen as a stronghold for pro-Biafra sentiments. Many carried signs reading “Free Mazi Nnamdi Kanu Now” and waved flags associated with the Biafran cause. Organisers had promoted the gathering as a non-violent show of solidarity, urging participants to maintain calm and focus on their core message: that Kanu's continued detention in the Department of State Services facility is unjust and politically driven. Kanu, who faces charges including treasonable felony, has been in custody since his extradition from Kenya in 2021.

Barrister Aloy Ejimakor, a prominent member of Kanu's legal team, played a key role in rallying support for the march. In messages shared widely online ahead of the event, he described it as potentially the “Mother of All Marches,” encouraging people to turn out in large numbers to amplify the call for Kanu's unconditional release. Supporters responded enthusiastically, with some traveling from neighboring states to join what they viewed as a critical moment in the ongoing campaign.

Eyewitness accounts from Aba painted a picture of a determined but orderly crowd. Traders in the bustling markets paused their activities to watch or even participate briefly, while commercial vehicles navigated around the procession. The atmosphere remained charged with emotion—songs, prayers, and speeches filled the air as speakers took turns addressing the gathering, highlighting Kanu's health concerns in detention and what they described as the broader struggles of the Igbo people in Nigeria.

This demonstration fits into a pattern of renewed agitation for Kanu's freedom that has surfaced periodically since his arrest. Earlier in the year, similar rallies took place in parts of Abia, Anambra, and Ebonyi, some tied to international events or solidarity themes. Thursday's event in Aba stood out for its scale and the explicit framing as a mass march, drawing attention from national media and online platforms. Reports from Punch Newspapers and other outlets noted the buildup, with organisers framing it as a coalition effort rather than strictly an IPOB-led initiative, though the overlap in messaging was clear.

Local authorities maintained a visible presence, with police and security personnel monitoring the procession to ensure it stayed within legal bounds. No major incidents of violence were immediately reported, though past protests in the region have sometimes seen tensions rise when crowds approach restricted zones or when security forces intervene to disperse gatherings. Organisers repeatedly stressed the peaceful nature of their intentions, appealing to participants to avoid any provocation.

The protest comes against the backdrop of ongoing legal battles surrounding Kanu's case. His supporters argue that the charges stem from his advocacy for Biafran self-determination and that his detention violates due process. Government officials, on the other hand, have maintained that the matter is before the courts and must follow legal procedures. The demonstration in Aba served as a public reminder of the deep divisions and unresolved grievances that continue to fuel such movements in the Southeast.

For many in attendance, the march represented more than just a call for one man's release it symbolized a larger push for equity, recognition, and an end to what they perceive as marginalisation. As the day progressed, participants dispersed gradually, with some vowing to sustain pressure through future actions until their demands are met. Community leaders and observers watched closely, noting how such events reflect persistent sentiments in the region amid Nigeria's complex ethnic and political landscape.