#FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest: U.S. Embassy warns citizens to avoid Abuja
The United States Embassy in Abuja has issued a security alert to its citizens in Nigeria, cautioning them to steer clear of public demonstrations linked to a planned protest titled “Free Nnamdi Kanu Now,” scheduled for Monday, October 20, 2025, in the nation’s capital.
In the advisory released on Friday, the Embassy urged Americans to avoid Eagle Square, the Central Business District, and other potential flashpoints across Abuja, warning that the protest could disrupt movement and potentially turn violent.
“Movement throughout Abuja should be minimised on the day of the protest,” the Embassy stated, adding that American citizens should take extra precautions, including keeping children at home and advising domestic staff who live outside the city to stay away.
The Embassy cautioned that there could be “roadblocks, traffic congestion, and confrontations between police and protesters that could turn violent around Eagle Square and the Central Business District.”
To ensure their safety, U.S. citizens have been advised to avoid protest areas and large crowds, remain alert to their surroundings, and monitor local media for real-time updates.
The advisory also emphasised maintaining a low profile, keeping mobile phones fully charged, carrying valid identification, and familiarising themselves with emergency exits in public spaces such as shopping malls, cinemas, and places of worship.
Citizens were further encouraged to review personal security plans and vary travel routes to avoid predictability.
Despite the security warning, the Embassy confirmed that the Consular Section in Abuja and the Consulate General in Lagos would remain open for routine operations.
Americans were advised to monitor the Embassy’s website, https://ng.usembassy.gov — for subsequent updates.
The planned protest is spearheaded by Omoyele Sowore, human rights activist and Sahara Reporters publisher, who recently announced a nationwide campaign demanding the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Read also: World Food Day: Lagos calls for collective action to tackle hunger
Sowore has used the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow to mobilise support, visiting several Abuja neighborhoods to rally participants ahead of Monday’s protest.
