NANS to Stage Nationwide Protest Demanding Release of Nnamdi Kanu

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has announced plans to embark on a nationwide protest on Monday, October 20, 2025, demanding the immediate release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

In a statement signed by the NANS National President, Comrade Atiku Isah, and dated October 13, 2025, the association said the decision was reached after a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held last week.

The protest, themed “Free Mazi Nnamdi Kanu,” is aimed at promoting justice, civil rights, and democratic accountability in Nigeria, according to the statement.

“Following the resolution reached at the recent executive meeting of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), the leadership of NANS hereby calls on all Nigerian students to participate in the ‘Free Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’ nationwide protest scheduled to hold on Monday, 20th October, 2025,” the statement read.

To ensure smooth coordination, NANS said students from all six geopolitical zones would first converge at regional centres before proceeding to Abuja for the grand rally.

The regional meeting points are as follows:

• South West: Ekiti State

• South East: Enugu State

• South South: Edo State

• North East: Bauchi State

• North West: Kano State

• North Central: Lokoja, Kogi State

According to the association, ten buses have been allocated to each zone to facilitate transportation to Abuja, while Students’ Union Government (SUG) presidents across tertiary institutions will handle logistics and mobilisation.

Comrade Isah emphasised that the planned demonstration would remain peaceful and focused on defending fundamental human rights.

“This mobilisation is part of our collective demand for justice, civil rights, and democratic accountability,” he said. “As students, we affirm that freedom is achieved through struggle, and we remain committed to peaceful advocacy for what is right.”

The call for protest follows renewed agitation across the South East and mounting pressure from human rights organisations and Igbo socio-political groups, urging the Federal Government to obey multiple court judgments declaring Kanu’s continued detention unlawful and to release him unconditionally.