Amnesty International has raised alarms over the detention of more than 1,000 protesters across Nigeria in the wake of recent demonstrations against hunger and poor governance. The protests, which occurred between August 1 and 10, escalated into violence in several regions, leading to reports of looting and vandalism.
Following the unrest, Nigerian police launched a nationwide crackdown, arresting individuals accused of participating in the violence. According to Amnesty International, this crackdown has resulted in the remand of over 1,000 people, with many facing what the organization describes as unfair trials.
“The Nigerian authorities are escalating a crackdown on peaceful protesters against hunger and corruption,” Amnesty International stated. “Today, 441 people were arraigned in Kano, facing what is likely to be an unfair trial based on trumped-up charges. We call for the immediate and unconditional release of all those arrested for exercising their right to peaceful assembly.”
In a related development, the Kano State Police Command announced on Monday that they had arrested 873 suspects for various criminal offenses, with another 97 individuals detained in Borno in connection with violent protests.
The arrests come after Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun announced on August 6 that the police had apprehended key figures suspected of sponsoring the riots, some of whom allegedly hoisted foreign flags and called for a change of government in states such as Kano, Kaduna, and Zamfara.
Amnesty International has called on the Nigerian government to respect the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, urging an end to the continued crackdown on protesters.
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