At least 31 individuals who were arrested during the #EndSARS protest in 2020 are still being detained in Lagos State after spending over two years in jail without trial. This is contrary to the statement made by the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, during the run-up to the 2023 general elections that all arrested protesters had been released.
The Nigeria Police Force Spokesman, Muyiwa Adejobi, also echoed this claim on his Twitter page, stating that the police had stopped arresting anyone associated with the protest. However, reporters have learned that many individuals are still being held in detention, including Ogidi Joseph, Marcus Joseph, Joseph Oyebowale, and others. Most of them are held at Kirikiri Prison in Lagos.
#EndSARS was a social movement that emerged in Nigeria in response to police brutality and human rights violations by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a unit of the Nigerian Police. The protests called for the disbandment of SARS and an end to police brutality in the country.
The movement gained momentum in October 2020, with mass demonstrations across the country and online activism on social media platforms. The continued detention of protesters highlights the challenges of addressing police brutality and human rights violations in Nigeria.
Names of peaceful #EndSars protesters still detained illegally
Ismail Muftao, Bethel Chukwuocha, Onuora Odih, Jeremiah Lucky, Gideon Ikwujoma, Haruna Adekunjo, Irinyemi Oluwanbe, Joshua Adeleke, Kabiru Ajetunmobi, Moses Ofoke, Quadri Azeez, Idris Lawus, Charles Godstine Adele, Akeem Azeez, Sodiq Riliwan, and Olamide Lekan.
Ogidi Joseph, Marcus Joseph, Joseph Oyebowale, Muyiwa Onikoyi, Taiwo Fagbemi, Jamiu Sabi, Segun Adeniji, Ibrahim Adesanya, Daniel Joyibo, Dare Williams, Sunday Ikorodu, Adigun Sodiq, Yusuf Rafiu, Shehu Anas, and Yakubu Olayiwola.
