Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has raised concerns over the arrest and detention of several Nigerians linked to the End Bad Governance protests, saying many of them were wrongly picked up and punished for offences they did not commit. In a statement posted on his verified X handle on Friday, Sani described some of the arrests as unjust and politically motivated, adding that the recent acquittal of a number of protesters by the Federal High Court was a welcome victory for justice.
The End Bad Governance protests, which swept through several states earlier this year, were driven by public frustration over rising inflation, insecurity, unemployment and perceived government insensitivity. The demonstrations, mostly peaceful in their early stages, later recorded clashes between protesters and security personnel in some locations, leading to arrests and the detention of dozens of young people.
According to Sani, some of the individuals detained were not protesters at all, but innocent citizens who were caught up in the chaos. “Many of them were wrongly arrested and incarcerated as scapegoats by the security forces,” he wrote. He said some of those detained were picked up simply for being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Sani, a long-time human rights advocate, recalled visiting several detainees at Kuje Prison while they awaited trial. He said it became clear during those visits that some of the accused persons had no connection to the demonstrations.
“One of them was a refrigerator and AC technician who knew nothing about the protest,” he stated. “Another one, called Bashir, was accused of being given millions of dollars when he had just ₦2,000 in his account.”
He said these examples showed how unfairly some Nigerians were treated during the crackdown, noting that such actions undermine public trust in law enforcement and weaken democratic values. According to him, the wrongful arrests reflected an attempt by security operatives to present quick results by arresting anyone available, instead of identifying genuine offenders.
The former lawmaker applauded the Federal High Court for setting some of the accused free, describing the decision as a “triumph of justice.” He also praised the legal team that defended the protesters, mentioning activist Deji Adeyanju and others who continued to push for fair hearings despite delays and pressure.
“Kudos to Deji and other members of the legal team,” Sani said, emphasising that their work helped ensure innocent Nigerians did not continue to suffer for crimes they did not commit.
Nigeria has witnessed several major protest movements in the past decade, many of which were met with heavy police or military response. The most notable was the 2020 #EndSARS protest against police brutality, which ended with several reported deaths, mass arrests and widespread destruction.
The End Bad Governance protest, though smaller in scale, revived public debates about how law enforcement agencies respond to public demonstrations. Rights advocates have long argued that the Nigerian Constitution guarantees freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, and that security agencies must operate within the law.
In the wake of recent protests, civil society groups have called for reforms to police procedures, including clear guidelines on arresting demonstrators, better crowd control methods and prompt legal review of all detentions. Many say these steps are necessary to rebuild trust between citizens and security institutions.
Shehu Sani urged security agencies to review their actions and ensure that those responsible for wrongful arrests face consequences. He said Nigeria’s democracy will remain fragile if ordinary citizens can be detained unfairly without proper investigation.
He noted that scapegoating innocent people during national protests only deepens public anger and divides the country further. Instead, he said authorities should focus on addressing the root causes of the protests—poverty, unemployment, corruption and poor governance.
Sani, a former civil rights activist who once suffered imprisonment under the military regime, said he understands the trauma experienced by wrongly detained citizens. His criticism reflects wider concerns among activists that Nigeria may be sliding towards intolerance of dissent.
Families of the acquitted protesters have expressed relief after months of uncertainty. Many had spent time and resources trying to prove their relatives’ innocence. Some reportedly sold belongings to pay for legal representation.
For these families, the Federal High Court’s decision represents not only freedom for their loved ones but also a restoration of their dignity. Rights groups have called on the government to compensate those who were unlawfully detained.
The economic hardship gripping the country—including soaring food prices, rising transport costs and widespread job losses—continues to fuel discontent. Without meaningful reforms, experts warn that public frustration may lead to more demonstrations.
Sani’s comments reflect a broader call for a more humane approach to policing protests. He said the nation must learn from these incidents and prevent the wrongful detention of innocent Nigerians in the future.
