The arrest, torture, and detention of peaceful protesters commemorating the fourth anniversary of the #EndSARS protest is unacceptable.
Development Diaries reports that the police reportedly arrested over 23 activists who had gathered at the Lekki toll for the commemoration.
Although the police have confirmed the release of the protesters, it is unfortunate that despite the profound impact of the October 2020 protests, which brought international attention to police misconduct and systemic abuses in Nigeria, the response of the Nigeria Police Force to protests remains unchanged.
Reports of heavy-handed tactics, including the use of teargas and physical violence during a peaceful gathering at the Lekki toll gate, serve as stark reminders of the government’s disregard for citizens’ rights to assemble and express their grievances.
Some reports also have it that some protesters were sexually molested.
”Two protesters – a male and a female – were sexually molested… the commissioner of police… was there…everything happened under his nose.”
Activist @htsoweto describes the plight of those arrested yesterday at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos during the 4th anniversary of… pic.twitter.com/Pm8zJg1fkR
— News Central TV (@NewsCentralTV) October 21, 2024
Four years after the tragic events of October 20, when many young protesters were killed by security forces, the response of the government and police to protests reflects a troubling continuity.
The actions of the police suggest that the Nigerian government is not concerned about police reform, nor is it committed to upholding human rights, because these arrests and torture experienced by protesters are precisely what the #EndSARS movement sought to challenge.
The systemic issues that sparked the protests in 2020 have not been adequately addressed, suggesting a cycle of oppression that continues to stifle civic engagement.
This denial of the right to protest erodes public trust in institutions meant to protect citizens.
Development Diaries calls on the President Bola Tinubu-led government to end the suppression of civil liberties and ensure genuine police reform.
We also call on the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to end the police abuse of citizens’ rights and ensure accountability for officers who violate these rights.
Photo source: Pius Ekpei/AFP
