CSOs: RULAAC, YRC and others, kick against Police arrest, disperse on #EndSARS memorial protesters
Following the #EndSARS protest which led to the Lekki Toll gate massacre, yesterday protesters gathered at the Lekki Toll gate in the morning hours in commemorating the anniversary of the Lekki Tollgate massacre on October 20, 2020.
According to Vanguard News reporter:
“Police on its part, said the #EndSARS anniversary protesters, who were arrested in the early hours of day have been released.”
“Meanwhile, Amnesty International has raised the alarms over persistent human rights violations by police, including unlawful detention, extortion, torture, and sexual violence, four years after the October 2020 #EndSARS protests.”
“Demonstrators gathered at the Lekki toll gate in Lagos, yesterday, to mark the fourth anniversary of the #EndSARS protest.”
“The memorial was to remember those who lost their lives during the #EndSARS protests against police brutality in October 2020.”
“The youths were said to have gathered about 8:30a.m., at the toll gate with several banners and placards. They demanded the full implementation of the reports submitted by various judicial panels of inquiry set up after the 2020 protests.”
“Police operatives, however, swooped on them, dispersed, arrested and detained some of them.”
These actions raise serious concerns about the government’s violation of citizens’ rights to freedom of expression and assembly.
The protest serves as a vital memorial event to honour 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 offences have been committed.
Civil Society Organizations and various right campaigners in the country raised their concerns and demands their immediate and unconditional release
The Youth Right Campaign (YRC) represented by her National Secretary, Nwapa Francis in a statement said:
“We demand their immediate and unconditional release. We understand that they are presently detained at SCID Panti Yaba.”
“The protesters had demanded the release of all #ENDSARS protesters still in detention after four years. They also demanded the immediate report of the Judicial Panel which includes adequate compensation for the victims of #ENDSARS.”
“This arrest is a continuation of brutal repression which has been the standard response of the Bola Tinubu government 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 Tinubu government 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 accords the country and dropping of trumped charges against Adaramoye Michael Lenin and 10 others.”
Amnesty Int’l in a statement by its Country Director, Isa Sanusi also raises alarms over persistent rights abuses by police
“The nationwide protests, held from October 1 to 20, 2020, aimed to end police brutality, particularly targeting the now-defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS. However, the demonstrations were abruptly halted on October 20, 2020, following tragic incidents at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos, where lives were lost during an alleged military shootout.
“We called on the Nigerian government to address these ongoing human rights violations, which continue to foster a culture of impunity and leave citizens vulnerable to the same abuses that sparked the #EndSARS movement.
“We continue to receive almost daily reports of human rights violations by the police across Nigeria, including unlawful detention, extortion, torture, sexual violence, and in some cases, extrajudicial execution. The Nigerian authorities still have the opportunity to reform the police and create an institution with zero tolerance for human rights violations.”
Sanusi emphasized that the authorities must not let this opportunity slip away by failing to hold the police accountable for their actions.
He warned that the situation is gradually reverting to the horrific pre-#EndSARS days, where police officers feel free to violate human rights without consequences.
Also, Amnesty highlighted several cases of judicial execution by the police in the four years since the protests.
Notable incidents include Jumoke Oyeleke (25), shot on July 3, 2021, during a Yoruba nation rally in Lagos; Mosurat Ojuade, an 18-year-old fashion designer, killed by police on September 11, 2021; Paul Durowaiye, shot over a dispute regarding sachet water on January 22, 2022; Gafaru Buraimoh, shot on December 7, 2022, in Lagos; Bolanle Raheem, a lawyer shot at close range by a police officer on December 25, 2022; and Onyeka Ibe, shot to death on April 5, 2023, for refusing to pay a bribe.
Amnesty also cited a leaked government memo dated July 19, 2023, which revealed that the Lagos State government approved over N61 million for the mass burial of 103 victims of the #EndSARS protests.
Hundeyin stated, “All protesters in our custody have been released. CP Olanrewaju Ishola was on the ground at the SCID to personally ensure this.”
Also confirming the release, National Spokesman YRC, Hassan Soweto, said, “We have just been released after the Commissioner of Police came to the Panti police station, pleading hypocritically. The whole brutalization, assault, and arrest occurred in his presence.
“Obviously, this is not the last we will hear of this. Many of us were injured. One comrade had blood gushing from his nose. Two comrades, a male and a female, were sexually molested. A male comrade was stripped naked, we had to find a rope to hold his trousers to preserve his dignity.”
He noted that many protesters are still in shock.
“I had my clothes torn by Officer Nnadi James at Panti police station. This violation of our rights and the brutality on a day set aside to commemorate a brutal massacre four years ago cannot be tolerated.
“We want justice. We won’t stop until we have it.
“As for the struggle against Tinubu’s anti-poor policies, this assault won’t dissuade us. The struggle continues until victory.”
Amongst those arrested, who have been released include Hassan Soweto, Ilesanmi Kehinde, Uadiale Kingsley, Osopale Adeseye, Olamilekan Sanusi, Osugba Blessing, Kayode Anaheim, Michael Adedeji, Jennifer Obiora, Orunsolu Oluremi (Renyte Goonz), Prof. Seyi Akinde, Akin Aluta, Ugochukwu Prince, Aishat Omolara, Thomas Olamide, Ogbu Ferdinand, Aghedo Stephen, Duroorike Olawale, Isaac Obasi, Funmilayo Ajayi, Gideon Adeyeni and Afeez Suleiman.
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