In a candid interview on News Central TV’s Politics HQ on Monday October 20, 2025, Declan Ihekaire, National Coordinator of Activists for Good Governance, recounted his harrowing experience during a solo demonstration in Lagos advocating for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Ihekaire described being arrested and tightly handcuffed while in a police van, where officers made derogatory remarks that highlighted deep-seated ethnic biases. This incident, part of the broader #FreeNnamdiKanuNow movement, occurred amid similar protests in Abuja that saw security forces deploying tear gas and gunshots to disperse crowds.
Ihekaire’s testimony sheds light on the challenges faced by activists in Nigeria, where demands for justice in Kanu’s prolonged detention—spanning over seven years without conviction—continue to intersect with issues of civil liberties and regional tensions. Ihekaire detailed how a policeman questioned his participation, stating, “Oh, you’re even an Igbo man protesting in Lagos,” as if overlooking Lagos’s historical role as a hub for nationwide protests, including those against former President Goodluck Jonathan.
He further alleged that the commander of the Mobile Police (MOPOL), identified as ACP Idris of MOPO 20, arrived with reinforcements and threatened to execute him on the spot, ordering the removal of his handcuffs to “start a protest” and declaring, “I will kill him here and now.” Such threats, according to Ihekaire, exemplify the aggressive tactics employed by law enforcement, raising concerns about accountability and the potential for extrajudicial actions in handling peaceful dissent.
Despite the ordeal, Ihekaire commended the intervention of the Lagos Commissioner of Police, who, upon being informed, ordered his immediate release from handcuffs and ensured he was treated with dignity before being escorted home. He emphasized the need to eradicate ethnic considerations from public discourse and actions, noting that observers were quick to infuse the events with tribal interpretations.
Ihekaire drew parallels to past incidents, such as protests for the release of Gani Adams and recent demonstrations for Dele Igbogo, where Igbo communities in Lagos actively participated, underscoring a history of cross-ethnic solidarity that should be upheld. The activist’s account also revealed personal losses, including a necklace valued at 500,000 naira and a megaphone that remain unreturned, symbolizing the broader costs of civic engagement.
Ihekaire’s reflections point to ethnicity as a persistent barrier to Nigeria’s unity, perpetuated even by state institutions like the police. As calls for Kanu’s release gain momentum, supported by figures from politics and civil society, this episode underscores the imperative for reforms to foster inclusive governance and protect protest rights, potentially mitigating the ethnic divides that hinder national cohesion. See, More, Here>>>
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