Amnesty International, a global human rights organization has reported that over 1,000 Nigerians who participated in a nationwide protest against worsening hunger and misgovernance are currently being held in prison custody across the country.
The organization blasts the administration of President Bola Tinubu for responding to the peaceful protests with a crackdown, rather than addressing the economic issues that are exacerbating hunger and harming families.
According to Amnesty International, at least 632 protesters are being held in Kano State, while over 109 are being detained in Sokoto prison custody.
The organization expressed deep concerns over the mass arrests and urged the Nigerian government to adopt a more constructive approach to addressing the protesters’ grievances.
In a statement shared on their X (formerly Twitter) account, the organization wrote: “Instead of addressing people’s concern on the economy, the Nigerian authorities embarked on a crackdown. So far, over 1,000 people have been remanded over the protest against hunger. At least 632 protesters have been remanded in Kano, while over 109 were remanded in Sokoto prison.”
Amnesty International called for the immediate release of those detained and for the Nigerian authorities to prioritize dialogue and economic reforms to address the root causes of the protests.
The organization emphasized the importance of protecting the rights to peaceful assembly and free expression, which are crucial for any democratic society.
