The Nigerian Police have commenced legal proceedings against over 1,100 individuals arrested during the recent anti-government protests in the northern part of the country.
The protests, which took place from August 1-10, were sparked by growing public discontent over the rising cost of living, fueled by the removal of fuel subsidies, soaring inflation, and unfavorable government economic policies that have further weakened the naira against the dollar.
While protests in southern Nigeria remained largely peaceful, the situation in the North escalated into violence, resulting in the loss of lives and the destruction of property. Authorities in at least five northern states were compelled to impose curfews to restore order.
During the protests, at least 17 people were reported killed in various states, including Abuja, Kano, Niger, Borno, Kaduna, and Jigawa. Amnesty International criticized the security forces for using excessive force, accusing them of killing at least 21 protesters.
The police arrested many demonstrators in the northern states of Kano, Kaduna, Gombe, Katsina, Yobe, Bauchi, Borno, and Jigawa, where the protests had turned violent. According to the police, 1,135 of these individuals will be prosecuted, with trials beginning on Monday, August 12, 2024.
In Yobe State, the police arrested 108 protesters, who were brought before the court on charges related to their involvement in the protests. Many of the accused individuals denied the charges, leading to further legal proceedings. The Yobe State Police Command has scheduled Monday for the continuation of the case, allowing the accused to either accept or contest the allegations.
Meanwhile, in Kano, 632 people were arrested for allegedly destroying property during the protests. They were remanded by a mobile court and are set to appear in court on August 19. The violence in Kano led to the vandalism and looting of several public and private facilities, including a popular supermarket, Barakat Stores, which reportedly lost over N5 billion.
Similar situations were reported in other northern states, with dozens of protesters arrested and charged in mobile courts. In Gombe, 14 protesters were released due to ill health and being underage, while 97 others remain in custody awaiting trial.
The Kaduna State Police Command also arrested 25 protesters, including a tailor who allegedly sewed a Russian flag. Additional arrests were made in Bauchi, where over 50 protesters were taken into custody.
In Niger State, 23 protesters were transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation, with plans to prosecute them soon.
The Borno State Police Command confirmed the arrest of 97 individuals in Maiduguri, where the protests left four people dead and several others injured. The suspects face charges ranging from vandalism to incitement and arson.
While the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) saw a significant number of arrests, the exact figures remain unclear. Amnesty International and Enough is Enough, a civil society organization, reported that over 50 people were detained across the FCT during the protests.
