Over 1,000 Nigerians protesting against President Bola Tinubu’s government have been remanded in prison custody in a nationwide crackdown on #EndBadGovernance protesters, says Amnesty International.
In a statement on Saturday, the human rights organisation raised the alarm over Nigerian authorities crackdown on protesters.
“The Nigerian authorities are escalating crackdown on peaceful protesters against hunger and corruption. Over 1,000 people have been remanded nationwide,” Amnesty International stated.
It added, “Today, 441 people were arraigned in Kano, in what is set out to be an unfair trial based on trumped up charges.”
The rights organisation called “for an immediate and unconditional release of all those arrested for exercising their right to peaceful assembly.”
It noted that the Tinubu government “has an obligation to uphold the right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.”
During the 10-day protest, from August 1 to 10, there were reports of widespread police brutality.
Former President Atiku Abubakar condemned the brutality of the Nigerian security forces, insisting that the armed forces hierarchy be tried for crimes against humanity.