The Kaduna State Police Command intervened decisively on Friday, July 18, 2025, to disband a rally organized by supporters of former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, marking a significant escalation in the enforcement of a statewide ban on political gatherings.
The event planned was halted at its designated starting point near the Kaduna Central Market, where supporters had gathered with banners and chants. Police Commissioner Ali Audu, citing heightened security risks, deployed tear gas and armored personnel carriers to disperse the crowd, arresting three individuals for attempting to defy the order.
The ban, initially instituted in June 2025 following violent clashes during the #EndBadGovernance protests, remains in effect across all 23 local government areas until the official commencement of political activities, a date yet to be specified by the state government.
The suspension, rooted in a 15% surge in crime rates, including armed robberies and communal clashes, reflects Governor Uba Sani’s administration’s efforts to maintain order amid a fragile peace. Obi’s supporters, many of whom traveled from neighboring states, condemned the action as an infringement on democratic rights, especially given the rally’s peaceful intent and its alignment with a national period of mourning for former President Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away on July 13.
State officials, however, justified the crackdown, pointing to intelligence suggesting potential infiltration by troublemakers, and vowed to prosecute violators, with plans for a mobile court to expedite legal proceedings. The incident has reignited debates over freedom of assembly, with human rights groups demanding a review, while the police maintain a robust presence, patrolling key routes to enforce compliance.