The Global Defence Consortium (GDC) loyal to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has accused Nigeria’s secret police, the Department of State Services (DSS), of planning to instigate violence around the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, October 16, 2025, in what it described as a desperate attempt to justify a clampdown on peaceful protesters calling for Kanu’s release.
In a press statement signed by Njoku Jude Njoku, Esq., on behalf of the GDC, the group alleged that it had “credible intelligence that security operatives, disguised as ‘unknown gunmen,’ and government-hired thugs will be deployed to create chaos and attack innocent people within the vicinity of the court during proceedings.”
The organization condemned the alleged plan as “wicked,” accusing the DSS of trying to “create a false scene of insecurity so that the Nigerian government can announce a lockdown of Abuja under the pretext of ‘security concerns.’”
According to the GDC, the purpose of the alleged scheme is to “frustrate and scuttle the peaceful #FreeMaziNnamdiKanuNow march scheduled to hold.”
“This is the depth Nigeria has sunk into — a country where state institutions now manufacture chaos just to cover up injustice,” the statement read.
It further alleged that “the same government that imported foreign mercenaries in the guise of ‘herdsmen’ to win the 2015 elections is at it again — this time, plotting to demonize peaceful marchers seeking justice for a man who has been illegally detained for years in defiance of court orders.”
The GDC appealed to the United States Government, the European Union, the African Union, and the Government of Canada to “take note of this intelligence and immediately caution the Nigerian authorities to desist from this dastardly act.”
The group cautioned that “if anything happens tomorrow or in the coming days, the world should hold the Nigerian government and its security agencies directly responsible.”
Reaffirming its dedication to peaceful advocacy, the GDC stated, “We stand for peace, law, and justice. We will not be intimidated, and no amount of orchestrated violence will stop the cry for freedom and fairness for Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.”
Wizopa earlier reported that human rights activist Omoyele Sowore had continued mass mobilisation ahead of the October 20 nationwide protest demanding Nnamdi Kanu’s release.
During a public outreach on Wednesday at the Utako Market in Abuja, Sowore said, “It was an honour to be charged with him (Nnamdi Kanu). I get charged every week in this country. Last week alone, I was charged three times at the Federal High Court.”
The activist criticised what he called a pattern of “fake charges” used by the Nigerian government to silence dissent, stressing that it was time for Nigerians to reject ethnic division and unite for justice.
“We are asking you to please come out on Monday en masse. It is our time to bring our brother home,” he declared.
“And we can’t accept anybody being treated as second-class citizens in this country. That is why we are not here as Yoruba, Hausa, or Igbo. I have said it and I will repeat it to you; I don’t know my tribe. My tribe is justice.”
Sowore, who has endured multiple prosecutions and arrests under different administrations, recalled his personal encounters with Nigeria’s justice system to highlight what he described as “state intimidation of freedom fighters.”
“I was born in Ijaw land, but I speak Yoruba. I did NYSC in Hausaland. I have travelled all over the world, to 30 countries. There is no country where citizens are treated like this that I have been through,” he said.
He also expressed cultural connection with the Igbo people, humorously mentioning his admiration for Ogene music.
“As you see me here, I like Igbo music, particularly Ogene music. That means to say something Igbo dey for my body (That means there is something Igbo in my body),” he added, drawing cheers from the audience.
