On 8 October 2020, Nigerian youths took to the street to protest against the atrocities by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a unit established by the Nigerian police to fight violent crimes. Over the years before the protest, most Nigerian youths had suffered harassment, unjust imprisonment and untimely death in the hands of the SARS squad.
On 20 October 2023, many Nigerian youths lost their lives in what was supposed to be a peaceful protest. Till today many families have not seen their children who left their houses for the protest.
Every year since the incident Nigerians all over the world have made it a tradition to honour and celebrate the fallen heroes and to push further for a thorough investigation on who ordered their demise.
Amnesty international Nigeria on 20 October 2023, released a statement about the unlawful detention of some #ENDSARS protesters. In their statement majority of #ENDSARS protesters are at the kirikiri medium correctional centre and Ikoyi medium security correctional centre, Lagos, detained without trial while being accused of theft, possession of unlawful firearms and murder.
” Seven #EndSARS protesters – Daniel Joy-Igbo, Sodiq Adigun, Sunday Okoro, Olumide Fatai, Oluwole Isa, Shehu Anas, and Akiniran Oyetakin – arrested in Lagos in 2020, are being arbitrarily held in Kirikiri Medium Correctional Centre.”
“Eight #EndSARS protesters – Segun Adeniyi, Onuorah Odih, Jeremiah Lucky, Gideon Ikwujomah, Irinyemi Olorunwanbe, Quadri Azeez, Olamide Lekan and Sadiq Riliwan – have been detained without trial in Ikoyi Medium Security Correctional Centre in Lagos since 2020.”
Also, many of these protesters have been subjected to ill treatment and toture since their detention in 2020.
““Our investigation shows the Nigerian authorities’ utter disdain for human rights. Three years in detention without trial is a travesty of justice. This shows the authorities’ contempt for due process of law. The protesters must be immediately and unconditionally released. All those detained solely for taking part in peaceful #EndSARS protests must be released immediately and unconditionally.” said Isa Sanusi, Director Amnesty International Nigeria.
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