Nigeria’s Lingering Justice: The Fate of #EndSARS Protesters in Lagos

Arbitrary Detention and Suppression of Justice for #EndSARS Protesters in Nigeria

Three years after the violent suppression of the nationwide #EndSARS protests against police brutality in Nigeria, the government continues to arbitrarily detain at least fifteen protesters, with the majority being held without trial in the Kirikiri Medium Correctional Centre and Ikoyi Medium Security Correctional Centre in Lagos. These protesters have been falsely charged with offenses such as theft, arson, possession of unlawful firearms, and murder.

According to Amnesty International Nigeria, the Nigerian authorities’ handling of these cases demonstrates an utter disdain for human rights and a contemptuous disregard for due process of law. Detainees have been held for three years without trial, a clear travesty of justice. The protesters, who have been voicing their grievances against police misconduct, must be immediately and unconditionally released.

Voices of Detained #EndSARS Protesters

Among those arbitrarily held in the Kirikiri Medium Correctional Centre in Lagos are seven individuals: Daniel Joy-Igbo, Sodiq Adigun, Sunday Okoro, Olumide Fatai, Oluwole Isa, Shehu Anas, and Akiniran Oyetakin. In an interview with Amnesty International, Daniel Joy-Igbo, a Beninois protester, recounted his ordeal since his arrest in December 2020. He expressed his despair at being locked up in prison without trial and without any adjourned date for his case. Sodiq Adigun, another detainee arrested in October 2020, pleaded for his release, declaring his innocence and lamenting the shattered state of his life.

An additional eight #EndSARS protesters – Segun Adeniyi, Onuorah Odih, Jeremiah Lucky, Gideon Ikwujomah, Irinyemi Olorunwanbe, Quadri Azeez, Olamide Lekan, and Sadiq Riliwan – have been detained without trial in the Ikoyi Medium Security Correctional Centre in Lagos since 2020. All those detained solely for participating in peaceful protests must be released immediately and unconditionally.

Torture and Ill-Treatment of Peaceful #EndSARS Protesters

Disturbingly, many peaceful #EndSARS protesters have been subjected to torture and other forms of ill treatment while in detention since 2020. Oluwole Isa, currently held in the Kirikiri Medium Correctional Centre, described the torture he endured at a SARS facility in Ikeja. He was tied up, suspended from an iron bar, and beaten with a machete and wooden batons until he falsely confessed to involvement in vandalism during the protests.

The Resurgence of Police Brutality

Despite the promise of comprehensive police reforms following the #EndSARS protests, Nigeria‘s police force continues to commit human rights violations with almost absolute impunity. According to Amnesty International Nigeria, in the past year alone, at least six people have been unlawfully killed by law enforcement officers. These cases include instances of extrajudicial killings, harassment, arbitrary detention, and extortion.

Various examples of police brutality highlight the dire state of human rights in Nigeria. Gafaru Buraimoh was killed in Lagos in December 2022, and Onyeka Ibe lost his life in April 2023 in Delta state when he refused to pay a bribe. Faiz Abdullahi died in police custody in Kaduna in July 2023 following torture during interrogation. Additionally, Abdullahi Tukur Abba, a 17-year-old student, allegedly faced torture in police custody and ultimately died in a hospital in Yola, Adamawa state, in August 2023.

Impunity remains a significant challenge to police reform in Nigeria. If these violations persist, the dream of transforming the police force and protecting human rights will remain elusive.

An Urgent Call for Reform

The Nigerian authorities must take concrete and effective measures to put an end to police impunity. Clear directives should be given to the police, emphasizing the importance of respecting human rights in their operations. Those suspected of human rights violations must be brought to justice through fair trials, without recourse to the death penalty.

Genuine and comprehensive reforms are urgently needed to address the widespread human rights violations committed by the police. Nigeria has an obligation to ensure that torture and other forms of ill-treatment are not carried out under any circumstances.

Conclusion

The arbitrary detention of #EndSARS protesters and the resurgence of police brutality in Nigeria reveal a deeply troubling state of affairs. The government must prioritize the protection of human rights and the rule of law. Immediate action is required to secure the release of detained protesters, ensure accountability for human rights violations, and implement meaningful police reforms.

Only through these measures can Nigeria begin to restore faith in its justice system and protect the fundamental rights and dignity of its citizens.

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