Nigeria: Activists arrested and brutalised for marking fourth anniversary of Lekki killings
Two statements by Democratic Socialist Movement Activists below one before release of activists
Today, in the early afternoon, twenty two EndBadGovernance protesters arrested for marking the murder of EndSARS protesters were released by the police.
The #EndSARS struggle of October 2020 is a watershed in the history of Nigeria. The Nigeria ruling elites were shocked by the massive protest of young people across the country to demand an end to a rogue unit of the Nigeria Police Force called SARS. Despite state sponsoring of thugs to attack protesters and shooting of protesters by the police in various locations, for two weeks young people demonstrated resilience and unity of purpose.
Below, Hassan Taiwo Soweto, Organising Committee, #Endbadgovernance Movement, Lagos State and National Spokesperson of the Youth Rights Campaign (YRC), had this message when he and the others were released earlier today:
“We have just been released after the Commissioner of Police came down to the Panti police station pleading hypocritically. The whole brutalisation, assault and arrest happened in his presence.
He ordered it.
Obviously the last has not been heard of this. Many of us are injured. One comrade had blood gushing from his nose. Two comrades, a male and female, were sexually molested. A male comrade was stripped naked – we had to find a rope to hold his trousers to preserve his dignity.
Many are still in shock.
I had my cloth torn by Officer Nnadi James at Panti police station. This violation of our rights and brutalisation 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.”
#EndBadGovernanceInNigeria
The Youth Rights Campaign (YRC) condemns the arrest of Hassan Taiwo Soweto, National Spokesperson of the YRC, and 21 others by the Police this morning at Lekki Toll Gate, Lagos, over a peaceful protest to mark the 4th anniversary of #EndSARS killings. We demand their immediate and unconditional release. We understand that they are presently detained at SCID Panti Yaba.
Those arrested are:
(1) Hassan Taiwo Soweto
(2) Ilesanmi kehinde
(3) Uadiale Kingsley
(4) Osopale Adeseye T.
(5) Olamilekan Sanusi
(6) Osugba Blessing
(7) kayode Anaheim
(8) Michael Adedeji
(9) Jennifer Rita Obiora
(10) Orunsolu Oluremi (Renyte Goonz)
(11) Prof Seyi Akinde
(12) Akin Okunowon Aluta
(13) Ugochukwu Prince
(14) Aishat Omolara
(15) Thomas Abiodun Olamide
(16) Ogbu Obinna Ferdinald
(17) Aghedo Kehinde Stephen
(18) Duroorike Olawale
(19) Isaac Obasi
(20) Funmilayo Jolade Ajayi
(21) Gideon Adeyeni
(22) Afeez Suleiman
The protesters had demanded the release of all #EndSARS protesters still in detention after four years. They also demanded the immediate implementation of the report of the Judicial Panel which includes adequate compensation of the victims of #EndSARS.
This arrest is a continuation of brutal repression which has been the standard response of Bola Tinubu government against dissent and peaceful protest. We call on 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 the trumped charges against Adaramoye Michael Lenin and 10 others
Francis Nwapa
National Secretary
YRC
Email: yrccampaigns@gmail.com to send solidarity
Protest to hc@nigeriahc.org.uk
