In the wake of the recent #Endbadgovernance protests across Nigeria, over 1,400 demonstrators are reported to be detained in various police facilities nationwide, according to lawyer Mr. Deji Adeyanju.
The protests, which spanned ten days, were aimed at addressing systemic issues of bad governance in the country.
Mr. Adeyanju, who is representing some of the detained protesters, disclosed that those in custody are being held in several locations, including the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) facility in Abuja, Bombai in Kano, and Kaduna Police commands, among other sites.
He emphasized that many of the detained individuals are reportedly being provided with only one meal per day, a situation he described as a “local arrangement with the Police.”
The conditions of the detainees have raised concerns among human rights advocates, particularly regarding the treatment and basic necessities provided to them.
Adeyanju also criticized the police for failing to present formal charges against the protesters. A scheduled appearance before the Federal High Court in Abuja, initially set for Monday, was postponed and subsequently rescheduled.
According to Adeyanju, despite requests to the police for details on the charges, the authorities have not complied.
“We requested the charges on Monday, but the police did not provide them,” Adeyanju said. “We asked again for the charges on Tuesday, but they have refused to make them available. Can protesting be considered an offense?”
In Abuja alone, Adeyanju reported that approximately 50 protesters were detained, with 27 being released after legal intervention.
The current estimated number of detainees in the capital stands at around 30, though this number could be higher.
The situation highlights ongoing tensions between the Nigerian government and its citizens, as well as concerns about the treatment of those who exercise their right to protest.
The #Endbadgovernance protests have drawn attention to issues of corruption, mismanagement, and governance failures in Nigeria, sparking widespread public outcry and demands for accountability.
Human rights organizations and activists are calling for the immediate release of all detained protesters and for improvements in their conditions.
The broader implications of the detentions could further escalate tensions and impact public sentiment regarding the current administration’s handling of dissent and civil liberties.
As the situation unfolds, observers are closely monitoring the response from both the Nigerian government and the international community, with hopes that the detainees’ rights will be respected and that the issues raised by the protests will be addressed.
