Analyst Blasts Police Over Harsh Handling of Free Nnamdi Kanu Protest

Public affairs analyst, Dickson Iroegbu, has criticized the Nigerian Police Force for their heavy-handed approach in dealing with peaceful protesters across the country.

Speaking on Prime Time, a programme on Arise Television on Monday, Iroegbu said Nigeria’s security problems would be a thing of the past if the police confronted criminals with the same energy they use against protesters.

He made the remarks while reacting to the police response during the Free Nnamdi Kanu protest held in Abuja earlier that day. Reports claimed officers fired tear gas and live bullets to disperse the crowd, though the police have denied those allegations.

Iroegbu expressed disappointment, describing the incident as “unfortunate and unacceptable.” He praised activist Omoyele Sowore, who led the peaceful demonstration, saying he was deeply touched by Sowore’s solidarity.

“I was born seven years after the civil war, and for the first time, I felt loved as an Igbo man by another Nigerian,” he said.

He added that the protest remained peaceful until security forces allegedly resorted to violence.

“If only the police handled insecurity the same way they go after peaceful protesters, we wouldn’t be facing the kind of insecurity we see in Nigeria today,” he added.

Meanwhile, Sowore, known for his human rights activism, had led the Abuja protest demanding the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who remains in detention.