Yesterday, some young people participated in a peaceful protest against increasing insecurity in the northern part of Nigeria. In utter breach of the fundamental right of the protesters the Nigeria Police Force violently disrupted the rally and arrested some of the participants. In stopping the peaceful rally the police violated the fundamental right of the unarmed protesters and others who were earlier arrested in Kano, Kaduna and Sokoto by
the Police and the State Security Service.
By abruptly stopping the protests the security forces breached section 83 (4) of the Police Establishment Act which requires the police to provide adequate security for citizens who participate in peaceful meetings and rallies.
However, in demanding for the immediate and unconditional release of the detained protesters the ASCAB is compelled to remind the police authorities that on November 20, 2014 the leaders of the All Progressive Congress led by President Muhammadu Buhari took part in a protest against insecurity under President Goodluck Jonathan without any harassment whatsoever.
Femi Falana SAN,
Interim Chair,
Alliance on Surviving Covid 19 and Beyond (ASCAB)