Over 1,000 #EndBadGovernance protesters remanded nationwide, 441 arraigned in Kano – Amnesty

Amnesty International has said more than 1,000 #EndBadGovernance protesters are currently in custody nationwide.

Earlier this month, precisely August 1 to 10, Nigerian youths staged a nationwide protest against hunger, hardship, rising inflation and cost of living.

The demonstrators demanded a reduction in the cost of governance, return to the petrol subsidy regime, food security, and fiscal discipline, employment, security of life, among others.

However, the protests turned violent in the north, with looting and vandalism recorded in some states.

The police arrested some of the perpetrators in some states.

In a statement posted on its X page on Friday, the international rights watchdog  also revealed 441 persons were arraigned in Kano State. It described the prosecution as an “unfair trial“.

The organisation called on the Federal Government to ensure the immediate release of all arrested protesters, while ensuring that its obligation towards upholding citizens’ right to freedom of assembly and expression is not undermined.

“The Nigerian authorities are escalating  crackdown on peaceful protesters against hunger and corruption,” the organisation said.

“Over 1000 people have been remanded nationwide. Today 441 people were arraigned in Kano, in what is set out to be an unfair trial based on trumped up charges.

“Amnesty International again calls for an immediate and unconditional release of all those arrested for exercising their right to peaceful assembly. The government of Nigeria has an obligation to uphold the right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.”