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October 20, 2024
The organisations condemned the arrest and harassment of protesters who gathered at Lekki Tollgate in Lagos and other locations in Lagos, Osogbo in Osun state and other locations to mark the 4th anniversary of the October 20, 2020 #EndSARS protests, during which several citizens were killed.
Global and domestic human rights organisations, Amnesty International, Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) and Youth Rights Campaign (YRC), have lambasted the Nigeria Police Force for deploying its operatives in Lagos, Osun and other states to clamp down on #EndSARS memorial protesters.
The organisations condemned the arrest and harassment of protesters who gathered at Lekki Tollgate in Lagos and other locations in Lagos, Osogbo in Osun state and other locations to mark the 4th anniversary of the October 20, 2020 #EndSARS protests, during which several citizens were killed.
SaharaReporters earlier reported that the Nigeria Police Force in its unrelenting brutal clampdown on peaceful protesters arrested the National Spokesman of YRC, Hassan Taiwo Soweto and 21 other members of #EndBadGovernance Movement at the Lekki Tollgate.
Soweto and the other protesters were arrested on Sunday during a protest to honour the memory of those who were massacred during the #EndSARS protests against police brutality in October 2020.
SaharaReporters learnt that the protesters were taken to the Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department at Panti in Lagos.
Reacting to the arrest and the brutality the police unleashed on the peaceful protesters, Amnesty International in a series of posts on X said, “Four years ago, on a day like this the deadliest crackdown on peaceful #EndSARS protesters was carried out by Nigerian army and police.
“Nigerian army and police killed at least 12 peaceful protesters on 20.10.2020 at two locations in Lagos. The killings took place in Lekki and Alausa, where thousands were protesting years of ruthless police brutality.
“Shortly before the army and police began shooting at close range, CCTV cameras at the Lekki Toll Gate where #EndSARS protesters had been camped for two weeks, were removed by government officials and the electricity was cut – in a clear attempt to hide evidence.
“Amnesty International condemns the Nigeria police for the violent attack on people who assembled at Lekki Toll Gate to honour peaceful protesters killed during the #EndSARS protests against police brutality in Oct. 2020. The reckless use of tear gas and arrests are unacceptable.
“President Bola Tinubu’s government must stop using security personnel to deprive people of the right to peaceful protest and pay attention to the real grievances that triggered the protests.
“Amnesty International calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Comrade Hassan Soweto and 17 activists arrested at the Lekki Toll Gate today while holding a memorial for victims of #EndSARS protests. During the arrest, they were also subjected to horrific atrocities.”
Similarly, RULAAC in a statement issued by its Executive Director, Okechukwu Nwanguma, condemned the arrest, brutalisation and detention of the peaceful protesters.
Nwanguma said the actions of the police raise serious concerns about the government's violation of citizens' rights to freedom of expression and assembly.
The RULAAC boss said, “The protest serves as a vital memorial event to honor victims and advocate for justice and reforms in the security sector. The authorities' response reflects an alarming trend of suppressing citizens' rights and activism regarding police brutality and governance in Nigeria.
“As legitimate expressions of free speech and assembly, these peaceful protests should be protected under democratic principles. The use of excessive force against peaceful demonstrators is undemocratic and unjustified, especially as no offenses have been committed.
“RULAAC calls for the immediate release of all arrested protesters and urges the government to respect citizens' rights, ensuring accountability for law enforcement agents who violate these rights and abuse their power.”
In the same vein, the Youth Rights Campaign in a statement issued by its National Secretary, Francis Nwapa, condemned the arrest of its National spokesperson, Soweto and 21 others protesters.
“We demand their immediate and unconditional release. We understand that they are presently detained at SCID Panti Yaba,” Nwapa said.
He added, “The protesters had demanded the release of all #ENDSARS protesters are still in detention after four years. They also demanded the immediate implementation of the report of the Judicial Panel which includes adequate compensation of the victims of #ENDSARS.
“This arrest is a continuation of brutal repression which has been the standard response of the Bola Tinubu regime against dissent and peaceful protest.
“We call on the labour movement, civil society organisations and youth groups not to be intimidated but be prepared to mobilise mass resistance against democratic attacks by the Tinubu regime as well as its anti-poor neo- liberal policies.
“We also demand the immediate release of all still in detention in connection with #EndBadGovernance protest across the country and dropping of trumped-up charges against Adaramoye Michael Lenin and 10 others.”
The arrested protesters who were thrown inside a Black Maria have been identified as Hassan Taiwo Soweto; Ilesanmi Kehinde; Uadiale Kingsley; Osopale Adeseye T.; Olamilekan Sanusi; Osugba Blessing; Kayode Anaheim; Michael Adedeji; Jennifer Rita Obiora (Female); Orunsolu Oluremi (Renyte Goonz) and Prof Seyi Akinde.
Others are Akin Okunowon Aluta; Ugochukwu Prince; Aishat Omolara (Female); Thomas Abiodun Olamide (Female); Ogbu Obinna Ferdinald; Aghedo Kehinde Stephen; Duroorike Olawale; Isaac Obasi; Funmilayo Jolade Ajayi; Gideon Adeyeni and Afeez Suleiman.