Nigerian police have summoned Ralph Uwazuruike, leader of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), ahead of a planned nationwide protest on Monday, Oct. 20, demanding the release of separatist leader Nnamdi Kanu.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The Imo State Police Command sent Uwazuruike a letter asking him to report to the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit headquarters in Owerri at 10 a.m. on the day of the protest. The letter states that he will be questioned over alleged offenses, including criminal invasion, forgery, and willful damage.

The summon comes as civil society groups, operating under the banner “Free Nnamdi Kanu Now,” plan demonstrations in major federal and state capitals to demand Kanu’s release from custody.

MASSOB has criticized the timing of the police invitation, suggesting it is intended to prevent Uwazuruike from participating in the planned peaceful protest. Chris Mocha, MASSOB’s Director of Information, said in a statement that the police action appears designed to sideline the group’s leader on the day of the demonstration.

Uwazuruike, in a video message circulated online, said he remains committed to nonviolent protest. “I have no problem with the police invitation,” he said, “but 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.”

Background

Uwazuruike heads MASSOB, a pro-Biafra group founded in 1999 that advocates for the creation of a sovereign Biafra state through largely nonviolent means. The planned protest on Oct. 20 is organized by activists calling for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who has been in custody since June 2021 following his extradition from Kenya. Kanu faces terrorism-related charges.

The United States Embassy in Abuja has issued a security advisory to its citizens, warning of possible roadblocks, traffic disruption, and confrontations during the demonstration. Nigerian authorities have heightened security measures in several states in anticipation of the protests.

Reactions

“The timing of this invitation is suspicious,” the MASSOB statement said. “It appears to be a move to stop Chief Uwazuruike from participating in the peaceful protest demanding Nnamdi Kanu’s release.”

Uwazuruike added in his video, “This is not about Kanu alone; it is about our collective dignity as a people.”

Police have not publicly commented on the motive behind the summon. The Imo State Police Command did not respond to requests for clarification before publication.

Impact and Next Steps

The summon raises questions about the right to peaceful assembly and the timing of police actions amid politically sensitive events. Observers warn that the move could heighten tensions if demonstrators view it as suppression of dissent rather than lawful policing.

Organizers of the Oct. 20 protest have insisted the demonstration will remain peaceful, despite the heightened security presence. Whether Uwazuruike will report as summoned and whether his attendance will affect the turnout remains uncertain.

Human rights groups, civil society actors, and political observers are closely monitoring the situation. In the coming days, authorities may issue further statements, and organizers are expected to provide final instructions to participants. The outcome could influence government-civil society relations in southeastern Nigeria for the remainder of 2025.