May 03, 2025
BY ESHERU KWEKU
In a move that has sparked outrage among activists and Pan-African supporters, Nigerian authorities have cracked down on demonstrations in support of Burkina Faso’s leader, Captain Ibrahim Traoré. The Department of State Services arrested Marxist activist and leader of the Talakawa Parliament, Comrade Kola Edokpayi, in Benin City, Edo State, over his involvement in organizing a Pan-African solidarity rally.
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Captain Ibrahim Traoré, who assumed power in Burkina Faso in September 2022, has gained widespread support across Africa for his revolutionary leadership and strong stance against foreign interference. His policies advocating for African sovereignty have resonated with many, leading to demonstrations across the continent.
The planned rally in Nigeria was part of a broader movement supporting Traoré’s resistance against neo-colonial influence. Protesters, united under the banner “Hands Off the AES!”—a reference to the Alliance of Sahel States—have taken to the streets in Burkina Faso, Ghana, and Liberia to denounce foreign intervention and express solidarity with Traoré’s leadership.
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Despite the peaceful nature of the planned demonstration, Nigerian security forces moved swiftly to prevent it from taking place. Reports indicate that the Edo State Commissioner of Police had previously met with Edokpayi, urging him to cancel the rally. Although Edokpayi complied and directed his team to call off the event, security operatives later raided his office, arresting six individuals, including Edokpayi.
Concerns have grown over the treatment of those detained, with reports suggesting that Edokpayi and others have been denied access to food, water, and visitors since their arrest. His wife was reportedly turned away when she attempted to visit him, fuelling fears that he may have been relocated to Abuja to face treason charges.
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The Edo State chapter of the Take It Back Movement has condemned the arrests, calling them “legally indefensible and morally reprehensible.” Activists argue that the suppression of peaceful demonstrations violates fundamental rights enshrined in Nigeria’s constitution, including freedom of thought, expression, and association.
As protests in support of Traoré continue to gain momentum across Africa, the Nigerian government’s response raises questions about its stance on Pan-African solidarity and political expression. With growing pressure from human rights groups and activists, the fate of those detained remains uncertain.
