Human rights organization Amnesty International has reported that more than 1,000 #EndBadGovernance protesters are currently in prison across Nigeria following the recent hunger protests that swept the country.
The protests, held between August 1 and 10, escalated into violence in several regions, leading to incidents of looting and vandalism. On August 6, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun announced the arrest of individuals accused of sponsoring the unrest, particularly in states like Kano, Kaduna, and Zamfara, where rioters allegedly hoisted foreign flags and demanded a change in government.
In a statement posted on its X handle on Friday, Amnesty International accused Nigerian authorities of intensifying their crackdown on peaceful protesters by bringing over 100 demonstrators to court.
“The Nigerian authorities are escalating their crackdown on peaceful protesters against hunger and corruption. Over 1,000 people have been remanded nationwide. Today, 441 people were arraigned in Kano in what is set to be an unfair trial based on trumped-up charges,” the post read.
Amnesty International renewed its call for the immediate and unconditional release of all individuals detained for exercising their right to peaceful assembly. The organization emphasized that the Nigerian government is obligated to protect the right to freedom of expression and peaceful protest.
