In a show of solidarity, civil society groups, including Amnesty International Nigeria, have strongly condemned the recent arrest of protesters in Minna, Niger State.
The demonstrators took to the streets to voice their concerns over the soaring cost of living and the prevailing food crisis gripping the nation.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, leading the Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), has also joined the chorus of voices demanding the immediate release of the detained protesters. Their release is seen as crucial to avoiding further provocation among Nigerians already grappling with the dire economic situation.
The protests erupted in Minna, the capital of Niger State, as youths and women voiced their frustrations on Monday. The demonstrators, initially led by a group of women who blocked the Minna-Bida Road at the prominent Kpakungu Roundabout, expressed their anguish over the hardships endured under the Bola Tinubu government. Subsequently, men and youths joined in, further disrupting vehicular movement in the area.
In response, the Niger State Police Command apprehended several individuals, including Aisha Jibrin, a 30-year-old who played a leading role in organizing the protest. Alongside Aisha, 57-year-old Fatima Aliyu, 43-year-old Fatima Isyaku, and 22 others were also taken into custody. The police spokesperson, Abiodun Wasiu, alleged that the protesters had engaged in violent acts and announced plans to initiate legal proceedings against them.
The JNI, in a statement released on Thursday by its Secretary-General, Prof. Khalid Abubakar-Aliyu, cautioned President Bola Tinubu not to disregard or trivialize the grievances expressed by Nigerians regarding hunger and economic hardships. The organization demanded the immediate release of all those arrested during the protests and called for comprehensive intervention measures to prevent future occurrences and further provocation of citizens. The JNI further emphasized the urgent need for the government to address the prevailing food crisis in the country.
Similarly, Mr. Isa Sanusi, the Country Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, denounced the arrests made by the Niger State Police Command as “unfortunate, uncalled for, and unacceptable.” He stressed that citizens have the right to express their dissatisfaction with government policies, urging the authorities to focus their energies on improving living conditions rather than harassing protesters.
Debo Adeniran, Chairman of the Centre for Accountability and Open Leadership, echoed these sentiments, stating that citizens have the right to protest and voice their concerns about unfavorable government policies. Adeniran emphasized that unless the police possess evidence of violence or the possession of illegal weapons, the arrested individuals should be immediately released.
The current wave of condemnation and calls for the release of the detained protesters underscores the gravity of the food crisis and economic hardships faced by ordinary Nigerians. It places significant pressure on the government to take urgent action to address these pressing issues and work towards improving the well-being of its citizens.
