…US Embassy Support Oct. 20th Lockdown in Abuja
By Joyce Onuora, Abakaliki
In anticipation of the nationwide protest led by Omoyele Sowore, calling for the unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra IPOB, Comrade Igboayaka O. Igboayaka, National President of Ohanaeze Youth Council OYC, has applauded the US Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard M. Mills, for advising US citizens to comply with the October 20 total lockdown.
Speaking to the pressmen on Saturday 18th Oct. 2025 Comrade Igboayaka O Igboayaka National President Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC) restated that on Friday, 17th October, as a result of the Ohanaeze Youth Council’s open letter to the US Ambassador, Abuja, dated 15th Oct. 2025, requesting the presence of foreign observers.
According to Comrade Igboayaka, the U.S. Embassy’s website issued a cautionary statement on Friday, warning that the planned protest may be characterized by “roadblocks, traffic congestion, and confrontations between police and protestors that could turn violent.” The U.S. embassy expressed concerns that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu lacks the democratic capacity to manage the protesters, given his undemocratic principles.
Consequently, the US Embassy advised Americans in Abuja to “avoid this area and severely limit all movement throughout the city on Monday, October 20.”
Comrade Igboayaka emphasized to the US Embassy that advising its citizens to stay indoors and lock down their offices is not enough, and that deploying foreign observers to the nationwide protest for Nnamdi Kanu’s freedom is crucial.
“The lockdown in Abuja, as suggested by the US Embassy to its citizens, is necessary and should apply to all residents of Abuja, to prevent Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s undemocratic government from looting shops and offices using thugs and then blaming it on protesters demanding the release of Nnamdi Kanu”
“All countries’ embassies in Nigeria should dispatch observers to monitor the nationwide protest scheduled for 20th October, demanding the release of Nnamdi Kanu, led by Omoyele Sowore, former presidential candidate of the AAC and prominent Nigerian activist, Comrade Igboayaka O Igboayaka stated.
Comrade Igboayaka advocated that the Embassy advising that “children in Abuja stay home from school” and that “domestic staff who travel from outside of Abuja should stay home as well.” is a safety measure, in light of president Bola Tinubu’s approach to democratic principles and human fundamental rights of Nigeria citizens.
