Human Rights and advocacy group has raised alarm and called the attention of the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, to the continuous illegal detention of many peaceful EndSARS protesters in police custody without without trails.
Police Brutality and Human Rights Advocacy (PBHRA) group in Nigeria through the Executive Director, Ismail Ibrahim, called the attention of Nigerians and particularly the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu to the detention without trial of many peaceful EndSARS protesters in different police cells particularly in Ibadan, Oyo State. This was made this known in a press statement made available to our correspondent in Ibadan.
It reads, “We write to bring to your immediate notice a grave matter concerning the unlawful detention and alleged torture of ten #EndSARS protesters who were arrested by Oyo State Police on the 13th of October, 2020 during a peaceful protest tagged EndSARS organised by the EndSARS movement in Mokola, Ibadan, Oyo State. The arrested protesters are; Aderoju Emmanuel, Asejire Biodun, Patrick Ibidapo, Ngozi Caleb, Haruna Abdullahi, Jinadu Olorinla, Julius Francis, Lateef Aiyegoro, Philip Jackson and Adeola Oyetunji.
It has come to our attention that the attack on these peaceful protesters was executed under the direct instruction of the Commissioner of Police, Ayodele Sonubi who unjustly claimed that the protesters were overrating their strength after he had warned them to cease their demonstration. This action not only come contravene their rights to peaceful protest but also raises serious concern about the conduct of the police force.
“Further exacerbating the situation, Barrister Ali Abegunde who represented the detainees was assaulted in the process of securing their release from the Oyo State Police Command. Barrister Ali Abegunde was detained was detained for 24 hours before being released in the evening of 14th of October, 2020 sequel to the intervention of Nigeria Bar Association Oyo State Chapter, for defending the interest of the victims in line with his profession.
“On 11th October 2020, a total of ten protesters were arrested with several others sustaining injuries requiring hospitalization. Disturbingly, it has been reported that two of the detained protesters were shot dead on 15th of October, the police are presently claiming that they hit the two when trying to escape when they were taken out of the cell when the Commissioner requested to interview them.”
The police have claimed they have court order permitting the detention of the Protesters, however, enquiry by our organization to both Oyo State Magistrate Court, the State and the Federal High Court showed that no such order was issued.
We hereby demand the release of the EndSARS protesters illegally detained in police cells. ” The statement ended.
