The protesters had gathered using #NorthIsBleeding as a hashtag to draw attention to the incessant killings, kidnappings and other signs of insecurity in Northern Nigeria, and in the country in general.
The Socialist Alternative (SA) has condemned the brutalisation and arrest of peaceful #NorthIsBleeding protesters in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja on Wednesday.
The protesters had gathered using #NorthIsBleeding as a hashtag to draw attention to the incessant killings, kidnappings and other signs of insecurity in Northern Nigeria, and in the country in general.
The protesters displayed banners and placards with various inscriptions such as "Buhari doesn't care about you" and "Stop kidnapping and killings in Nigeria".
A statement by the group on Wednesday, signed by its spokesperson, Dimeji Macaulay, described protests as important at this trying time in the country to call the attention of the Muhammadu Buhari government to the worsening security challenges.
It, therefore, called for the release of protesters arrested by the police.
The statement said, “These protests are important at this material time to call the attention of the Buhari regime to the security crisis ravaging the North and the entire country.
“It is shameful that the police can forcefully disperse unarmed peaceful protesters that are worried about the level of insecurities in the country but cannot guaranty the lives and properties of Nigerians.
“According to a report by Premium Times on December 12: At least 63 people were killed in various attacks by non-state actors across Nigeria last week (December 5-11).
“A review of the figure shows an over 200 per cent increase when compared to the previous week when 25 people were reported killed. The killings continue unabated in many parts of the North West and North East.
“We call for the immediate and unconditional release of Henry Nwobodo, Moses Abraham and two others. The only crime they committed is standing up against wanton destruction of properties and ongoing killing by the bandits and other non-state actors.
“For us in the Socialist Alternative, there's a need for a national discourse on how the security in Nigeria has deteriorated to this level and what Nigerians can do to defend themselves in this period.
“We call for community self-defence committee by the people to confront this menace of killings.”
SaharaReporters earlier reported that the police tortured and dehumanised the #NorthIsBleeding protesters arrested in Abuja.
The newspaper had also reported how the police arrested two protesters and two journalists with Roots TV. However, the journalists were later freed by the police.