Kaduna, Nigeria – July 19, 2025
Security agencies in Kaduna State have intervened to prevent a planned rally from taking place, citing directives from higher authorities, according to reports from the event’s organizer. The development has sparked discussions on social media about freedom of assembly and political expression in the region.
Mallam Jabir announced that the Kaduna State security agencies have just issued a directive that we can’t do rally in the state, citing orders from above. What are your thoughts on this development?” The post, which included a photo of what appears to be official communication or a related document, quickly garnered significant engagement, with over 1,700 likes and hundreds of reposts and replies.
Shortly after, Jabir provided updates indicating that enforcement was already underway. At approximately 7:29 GMT, he posted a video showing “fully armed police vehicles at our Kaduna rally meeting point,” urging followers to “stay tuned.” By 8:20 GMT, he shared images of a group of women who had arrived for the event but were reportedly stopped by security personnel. “Some group of women that came out for our Kaduna rally but was stopped by the security agencies. Sad,” he wrote, accompanying the post with four photos depicting the scene.
The rally appears to be organized by supporters of Peter Obi, the former presidential candidate and leader of the Labour Party, commonly known as the “Obidient” movement. Jabir, a vocal advocate for Obi in past elections, has previously used his platform to rally support for similar events. In a follow-up post around 6:59 GMT, he confirmed that “the security agencies in the state said we can’t do any movement. It’s well.” Other X users echoed these reports, with one sharing the same video of armed police at the Obidient rally site and emphasizing “Coalition or Nothing,” a phrase often associated with Obi’s political alliances.
This incident comes against a backdrop of heightened scrutiny over public gatherings in Kaduna State. Last year, the state government issued warnings against unverified processions, stating it would no longer tolerate such activities without approval from security agencies, amid concerns over criminals disguising themselves as protesters. Similar bans have been enforced in the past, including restrictions on religious protests in 2022 to maintain public order.
Reactions on social media have been mixed, with many expressing disappointment over the curtailment of what Jabir described as a peaceful assembly. The organizer’s call for thoughts on the development has prompted debates about democratic rights in Nigeria, particularly in politically charged environments like Kaduna, a state with a history of electoral tensions.
As of now, no official statement has been released by the Kaduna State government or security agencies confirming the directive. Jabir has indicated that updates will follow, advising supporters to remain vigilant. This event underscores ongoing challenges in balancing security concerns with citizens’ rights to protest and assemble.
