Protesters arrested during the August 2024 EndBadGovernance demonstrations in Kaduna State have refuted allegations that their sponsor, Khalid, was tortured while in the custody of the Department of State Security (DSS).
In interviews following their release, the protesters described their detention experience as fair and devoid of maltreatment, attributing their freedom to the new DSS Director General’s intervention.
Dahiru Hamza, one of the released protesters from Tudun Wada, Kaduna, expressed dissatisfaction with Khalid for allegedly misleading them about having police authorization for the protest.
“Honestly, I was not happy with Khalid because he assured us the protest was authorized, but we ended up in DSS custody. Thankfully, we were treated well. No one tortured us,” Hamza stated.
He recounted initial fears of mistreatment but said he was surprised by the humane treatment they received.
“After writing my statement, we were provided meals, and the DSS medical team attended to us. The only challenge was the confinement, which was tough for me as a DJ used to moving around. Apart from that, we were not harmed,” he added.
Another protester, Abdullahi Isa, echoed Hamza’s remarks, asserting that Khalid’s claims of torture were untrue.
“We were detained alongside Khalid, and I never saw him or anyone else being beaten or tortured. The DSS officers were professional throughout,” Isa explained.
He commended the new DSS leadership for its efforts to review cases and ensure fairness.
“Our guardians were invited to write statements on our behalf, and we were released shortly after. The DGSS also directed a review of Khalid’s case, which facilitated his freedom,” Isa noted.
The protesters’ accounts highlight the role of the new DSS leadership in ensuring fair treatment and resolving their cases, while contradicting claims of abuse by their sponsor.
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