The Take It Back Movement says the Nigeria Police Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, was wrong to have refuted Senator Shehu Sani’s claim that some protesters remained in detention two years after the EndSARS protests.
Sani made the claim at a special dinner Organised to mark Democracy Day at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja on June 12, 2024.
Adejobi had refuted the assertion, in a statement on Sunday, saying “that no individual is being unlawfully detained by the Nigeria Police Force or any other security agency in Nigeria due to the EndSARS protest.”
He added, “All arrested individuals have been processed according to the law, and none remain unlawfully detained.
“In Lagos, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu pardoned approximately 100 suspects arrested by the Police during the protest.
“For emphasis, no one anywhere in Nigeria is under Police detention or being wrongly persecuted for participating in the EndSARS protest. The issues surrounding the protest have been debated, researched, and documented, and lessons have been learnt. We have forgiven ourselves and moved on.”
However, the Coordinator of the Take It Back Movement in Lagos, Adekunle Taofeeq, challenged the police spokesperson’s claims, citing contradictory information available to the movement.
He stated, “Take It Back Movement has been made aware of the recent statement by ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in which he denied that any #EndSARS protester is unlawfully detained by the police or other security agencies across the country.
“The statement directly contradicts the information available to us, and we are gravely concerned that multiple protesters remain incarcerated without due process or consideration for their human rights.”
Taofeeq named seven individuals known to the movement who are currently detained illegally in various centres across Nigeria.
He reiterated, “The Take It Back Movement demands the immediate and unconditional release of Dare Williams, Daniel Joyibo, Adigun Sodiq, Ismail Mufutau, Ismail Olaogun, Rasheed Wasiu Bolaji, and Moshood Biola. This is not just about freedom of expression but about justice and basic human rights.”
Taofeeq accused the authorities of attempting to conceal severe human rights violations committed against peaceful demonstrators.
He highlighted the history of impunity within the Nigerian security forces and condemned the denial as a perpetuation of state-sanctioned violence and repression.
“The claim is utterly false and a blatant attempt to whitewash the horrific human rights violations that have been committed against peaceful protesters,” Taofeeq stated. “By denying the continued detention of peaceful protesters, the government is effectively endorsing state-sanctioned violence and repression.”
Calling for justice, Taofeeq urged Nigerians and the international community to stand in solidarity with the movement’s demand for the immediate release of unlawfully detained protesters.
“The Take It Back Movement will not stand idly by as innocent Nigerians are unjustly imprisoned and abused,” Taofeeq declared.
“We call on all Nigerians and the international community to join us in demanding that these detained protesters be released immediately and that those responsible for their unjust incarceration be held accountable.”
