The Imo State Police Command has summoned the leader of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, to appear before its Anti-Kidnapping Unit (AKU) over alleged criminal offences.
Uwazuruike was invited to report at the AKU headquarters in Owerri on Monday, October 20, the same day civil society organizations are expected to hold nationwide peaceful protests demanding the release of detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
According to the police invitation letter, Uwazuruike is to answer questions regarding alleged criminal invasion, forgery, and wilful damage.
The letter, jointly signed by ASP John Ebute, ASP Eze Jet, and Inspector Alice Zakari, was dated October 16, 2025.
Reacting to the development, MASSOB described the police invitation as a possible attempt to prevent Uwazuruike from participating in the planned peaceful protest.
In a statement issued on Uwazuruike’s behalf by his Director of Information, Mazi Chris Mocha, and made available to newsmen, MASSOB confirmed that the pro-Biafra leader had been directed to report to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit by 10:00 a.m. on Monday, October 20.
The statement quoted Uwazuruike as saying in a recent viral video:
“I will be part of any peaceful protest for Nnamdi Kanu’s release. This is not about Kanu alone; it is about our collective dignity as a people.
I have no problem with the police invitation. It is clear the summon was intended to prevent me from joining the planned peaceful protest on October 20. I remain firm, calm, and unshaken.”
Meanwhile, the Federal High Court in Abuja has restrained Mr Omoyele Sowore and others from protesting in some areas in Abuja, including the Aso Rock Villa.
According to a report, the court also barred the protesters from anywhere close to the villa, National Assembly, Force Headquarters, Court of Appeal, Eagle Square and Shehu Shagari Way, pending the hearing of the motion on notice.
Contrary to earlier media reports, Justice Mohammed Umar, on Friday, granted the ex parte motion moved by the police lawyer, Wisdom Madaki, on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“The respondents are hereby restrained in the interim from protesting in the following areas: Aso Rock Villa, or anywhere close to the Villa, National Assembly, Force Headquarters, Court of Appeal, Eagle Square and on Shehu Shagari Way pending the hearing of the motion on notice,” the judge held.
However, Sowore insists that the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest would hold peacefully as planned within the ambits of the law despite the court’s directive.
“October 20 #FreeNnamdiKanuNow remains sacrosanct. We march peacefully, lawfully, and powerfully,” Sowore stated.
Writing in a post on his verified X handle on Saturday, questioned the rationale behind the police not seeking a similar order against individuals who, according to him, had been protesting against the release of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu, for three consecutive days.
“Suppose a court order truly exists restricting protests around Aso Rock Villa; it begs the question: why hasn’t the same police force obtained a similar order against those protesting freely for three consecutive days opposing Nnamdi Kanu’s release?” Sowore asked.
“The hypocrisy is glaring. The double standards are undeniable,” he stated
