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Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, and the Nigeria Police disagree on the fate of youths detained during the October 2020 ENDSARS protests in the country.
Sani, who spoke at the 2024 Democracy Day Dinner held on June 12 at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, emphasized that some protesters have not regained their freedom four years after mass demonstrations against the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
He urged President Bola Tinubu to ensure the release of the detained youth.
The former lawmaker stressed that young Nigerians arrested during the 2020 protests were still being detained.
However, in a statement issued by the police on Sunday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Olumuyuwa Adejobi, swiftly denied the allegations.
He insisted that those arrested during the protests had been released.
Adejobi said: “The Nigerian Police confirms that no individual has been unlawfully detained by the Nigerian Police or any other security agency in Nigeria because of the EndSARS protests,” a police spokesperson said.
“All individuals arrested have been processed according to the law, and none were unlawfully detained. In Lagos, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu granted amnesty to about 100 suspects arrested by the Police during the protests.
“For emphasis, no one in Nigeria has been detained by the police or abused for participating in the EndSARS protests. The issues surrounding the protests have been debated, researched, and documented, and lessons learned. We have forgiven ourselves and moved on.
“We encourage verification of information before making public statements to avoid harm and incitement.
“The Nigerian Police Force categorically denies the recent allegations made by Senator Shehu Sani at the 2024 Democracy Day Dinner on June 12, 2024, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where the former Senator falsely claimed that several youths had been detained since 2020. EndSARS protest.”
However, in a post on X on Monday afternoon, Sani emphasized that several of the arrested protesters were still being held by the police.
He wrote: “Police refute my statement that some ENDSARS protesters are still detained. I hope they have read the published list of names.”
The police denied my statement that some Endsars protesters were still detained. I hope they have read the published list of names.
— Senator Shehu Sani (@ShehuSani) June 17, 2024
To corroborate Sani’s statement, several X users under the post criticized the police for denying the obvious, with some even posting a list of those still being detained.
One user, @HilaryEkpe, posted a list of detainees and challenged police to deny it.
— Ekpe Hilary Uchiche (@HilaryEkpe) June 17, 2024
Others also agree with Sani in his various posts.
@OjuowoD wrote: “Seriously, I was watching Arise News this morning and I shook my head when the Lagos State AAC Chairman mentioned the list of EndSars Protesters in Kirikiri and other police detainees, that’s when I said the police even denied they had no such people in their prisoners.”
Seriously, I was watching Arise News this morning and I shook my head when the Lagos State AAC Chairman mentioned the list of EndSars Protesters in Kirikiri and other police detainees, that’s when I said the police even denied that they don’t have such people in their custody
— Owokoniran (@OjuowoD) June 17, 2024
@Imoladayo: “The fact is that they may have changed their case from protestors to armed robbery or more so the police should go back to their records and start a normal investigation. At least this is our mother’s sovereign land.”
The fact is that they may have changed their case from protestors to armed robbery or more so the police should go back to their records and start a normal investigation. At least it is our own mother’s sovereign land.
— Ayoola Oladayo (@Imoladayo) June 17, 2024
@AdamsKesiena: “Whatever the Nigerian government and its institutions deny is true, especially the Nigerian police and military.”
Whatever the Nigerian government and its agencies deny is true, especially by the Nigerian police and military
— kesiena OA (@AdamsKesiena) June 17, 2024
@DavaGrouoCEO: “I’m waiting for them to not respond to the list and the list isn’t even complete, they’re more people they sent to prison that aren’t in their cells.”
I’m waiting for them to not respond to the list and the list isn’t even complete yet. They’re more people they send to prison that aren’t in their cells.
— Dava (@DavaGroupCEO) June 17, 2024
@Bukatee: “Our public institutions are always quick to debunk without thoroughly investigating whatever they deny. Must we always deny whiteness to blackness so that we can thrive in this country?”
Our public institutions are always quick to debunk without deeply investigating whatever they deny. Must we always deny whiteness to blackness so that we can thrive in this country?
— POLIKARP ONYELE EBUKA (@BUKATEE4617191) June 17, 2024
@DePeoplesPride: “Are you supposed to be surprised? The report to the police never happened because there were no victims on 10/20/20???”
Should you be surprised? The report to the police never happened because there were no victims on 10/20/20???
— Good Governance is a sure thing
(@DePeoplespride) June 17, 2024
@FreedomFighter: “Let’s confirm if anyone from EndSAR is still detained.”
Let’s confirm whether there are still people from EndSAR in custody pic.twitter.com/OvubQpg4vO
— Freedom Fighters Official (@Freedom_fighte_) June 17, 2024
@NotUrKev: “We must always remember!
“Whatever they argue or deny is the truth.”
We must always remember!
"Whatever they argue or deny is the truth"— 𝐊𝐞𝐯 .𝐎°
(@NoUrKev) June 17, 2024
@Opeyemtech: “One of the leaders of EndSars United came to Arise TV last night with a list of people still in custody.”
One of the leaders of EndSars United came to Arise TV last night with a list of people still in custody https://t.co/5YLuk9GJVi
— Yemtech (@Opeyemtech) June 17, 2024
The post Shehu Sani confirms some ENDSARS protesters still in police custody appeared first on Latest Nigerian News | Top News from Ripples Nigeria.
