The Nigeria Police Force has refuted claims made by former lawmaker Shehu Sani that youths detained during the #EndSARS protests are still in custody. According to Force spokesman Muyiwa Adejobi, no protesters arrested during the October 2020 demonstrations against police brutality and extrajudicial killings remain in detention.
In a statement released on Sunday, Adejobi emphasized the inaccuracy of Sani’s assertions. The protests in 2020 saw Nigerian youths rallying against police misconduct, leading to clashes that resulted in damage to police stations and the arrest of numerous protesters.
While some arrested individuals were subsequently released, there have been persistent rumors of others being held in various police stations. Addressing these concerns, Adejobi assured that all detainees have been processed according to the law and no one remains unlawfully detained.
Sani had recently spoken at a Democracy Day dinner held at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja, urging President Bola Tinubu to pardon those arrested during the #EndSARS protests. He referred to the protesters as champions of democracy, deserving of clemency.
In response, the police reiterated that the matter has been concluded. “Lessons have been learnt. We have forgiven ourselves and moved on,” Adejobi stated. He highlighted that in Lagos, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had pardoned approximately 100 suspects arrested during the protests.
The police urged the public to disregard Sani’s claims and assured their commitment to justice, the rule of law, and human rights. “The issues surrounding the protest have been debated, researched, and documented. We remain dedicated to upholding these principles,” Adejobi concluded.
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