By Ihechi Enyinnaya
The Campaign for Democratic and Workers’ Rights (CDWR) has condemned the arrest and detention of Hassan Taiwo Soweto and 21 other members who converged at the Lekki Toll Gate to commemorate the fourth year of the Endsars massacre on Sunday.
The arrested protesters are Hassan Taiwo Soweto, Ilesanmi Kehinde, Uadiale Kingsley, Osopale Adeseye, Osugba Blessing, Kayode Anaheim, Michael Adedeji, Jennifer Rita, Orunsolu Oluremi, Prof. Seyi Akinde, Akin Okunowon, Ugochukwu Prince, Aishat Omolara, Thomas Abiodun, Aghedo Kehinde, Duroorike Olawale, Isaac Obasi, Funmilyo Jolade, Godeon Adeyemi, Afeez Suleiman, Ogbu Obinna and Olamilekan Sanusi.
A statement signed by Comrade Rufus Olusesan, National Chairperson and Comrade Chinedu Bosah, National Publicity Secretary said the Nigerian Police who were armed in their numbers attacked the peaceful Endbadgovernance members who were converging for the memorial program at Lekki. They were subsequently arrested and detained at the notorious Lagos State SCID facility at Panti Yaba. This is one arrest and detention too many as protesters are regularly attacked, molested, arrested and detained on the orders of the President Tinubu-led government. In August 2024, the Tinubu-led government used the police and the military to attack, arrest and detain hundreds of peaceful protesters across the country killing some in the process. Comrade Michael Lenin and some others were arrested and imprisoned during the Endbadgovernance protesters and recently regained partial freedom from the repressive police and justice system after 50 days in incarceration.
We state boldly that protest and dissent are not crimes, oppressing and attacking democratic rights is a crime that must stop. The Tinubu-led government’s attacks on democratic rights are reminiscent of the dark days of military dictatorship. We call on the Nigerian working masses, the poor and the trade union leadership to resist this growing Tinubu-led civilian dictatorship.
The CDWR demands the immediate and unconditional freedom of Hassan Taiwo Soweto and 21 other Endbadgovernance members currently detained.