The Nigeria Police Force has stated that none of the individuals detained during the October 2020 protests against police brutality and extrajudicial killings remain in custody.
This clarification was issued in a statement on Sunday by the Force spokesman, Muyiwa Adejobi.
The police dismissed as false, assertions made by Shehu Sani, a former senator representing Kaduna Central Senatorial District.
Dani had claimed that some youths arrested during the #EndSARS protests are still being held.
In 2020, Nigerian youths took to the streets to demonstrate against police brutality and other issues affecting the country. The protests resulted in damage to several police stations, facilities, and personnel nationwide, leading to arrests.
While some of the detained protesters were subsequently released, others were reportedly held in various police facilities.
During a special dinner organized to commemorate Democracy Day at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja on June 12, 2024, Sani had advocated for those involved in the protests to be recognized as champions of democracy.
He urged President Bola Tinubu to consider pardoning individuals who were incarcerated following the #EndSARS demonstrations in 2020.
But, the police said the matter had been concluded, “lessons have been learnt. We have forgiven ourselves and moved on”.
The statement read, “The Nigeria Police affirms that no individual is being unlawfully detained by the Nigeria Police Force or any other security agency in Nigeria due to the EndSARS protes.
“All arrested individuals have been processed according to the law, and none remain unlawfully detained. In Lagos, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu pardoned approximately 100 suspects arrested by the Police during the protest.
“For emphasis, no one anywhere in Nigeria is under Police detention or being wrongly persecuted for participating in the EndSARS protest. The issues surrounding the protest have been debated, researched, and documented, and lessons have been learnt. We have forgiven ourselves and moved on.
“We urge the public to disregard this claim and remain assured of our commitment to upholding justice, the rule of law, and human rights.”