Human rights watchdog Amnesty International has accused the federal government of the alleged detention of over 1,000 protesters who participated in the recent #EndBadGovernance demonstrations across Nigeria
Protesters took to the streets earlier this month to demonstrate against economic hardship and poor governance.
Amnesty, in a post via its X handle on Friday, accused the government of escalating a crackdown on peaceful protesters by arraigning over 1,000 protesters in court.
The protests, which began on August 1 and lasted ten days, were peaceful at first but turned violent in some states, particularly in the north. Looting and vandalism were reported, with some protesters seen waving the Russian flag and chanting anti-government slogans.
The Nigerian police blamed the violence on foreign elements and arrested several people, including seven Polish citizens. The Nigerian authorities alleged they were linked to the violent protests.
However, Amnesty maintained that the government is escalating the crackdown on peaceful protesters against hunger and corruption.
Amnesty said over 1,000 people have been remanded nationwide, noting that 441 people were arraigned in Kano in what it described as “an unfair trial based on trumped-up charges.”
The organisation, however, called for the immediate and unconditional release of all detained protesters, urging the government to respect the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
“Amnesty International again calls for an immediate and unconditional release of all those arrested for exercising their right to peaceful assembly. The government of Nigeria has an obligation to uphold the right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.” Amnesty said.
