Three years after the #EndSARS protests against police brutality, at least fifteen protesters reportedly arrested in 2020 are still being detained in Kirikiri Medium Correctional Centre in Lagos State.
News About Nigeria also learnt that majority of them have been in the Correctional Centre for these three years without trial, Amnesty International says.
According to report, the Nigerian authorities have filed charges bordering on; theft, arson, possession of unlawful firearms, and murder against many of the protesters.
According to the Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, investigation shows that the protesters are being treated poorly.
He also called for the release of the protesters, noting that, their continued detention reveals the authorities’ hatred for human rights.
In his words: “Our investigation shows the Nigerian authorities’ utter disdain for human rights. Three years in detention without trial is a travesty of justice. This shows the authorities’ contempt for due process of law. The protesters must be immediately and unconditionally released.
“All those detained solely for taking part in peaceful #EndSARS protests must be released immediately and unconditionally.”
Some of the protesters who have been detained without trial in Ikoyi Medium Security Correctional Centre in Lagos since 2020 are; Joy-Igbo, Sodiq Adigun, Segun Adeniyi, Onuorah Odih, Jeremiah Lucky, Oluwole Isa, Gideon Ikwujomah, Irinyemi Olorunwanbe, Quadri Azeez, Olamide Lekan and Sadiq Riliwan.
Despite claims by the police that it has carried out comprehensive police reforms after the #EndSARS protests, Nigeria’s police continue to violate human rights, and involve in extrajudicial killing, harassment of innocent citizens, and arbitrary detention.
Amnesty International said even after the #EndSARS protest, police officers have been involved in the unlawful killing of at least six people.
