A coalition of activist groups in Abuja, known as the Network of Abuja Left Groups, has called for the immediate release of all individuals arrested by security forces for participating in the #EndBadGovernance protests. The groups are also demanding the prosecution of security agents responsible for the violence against peaceful demonstrators.<\/p>\n
Among those detained are notable activists, including Micheal Lenin, Mosiu Sodiq, Angel, Comrade Opaoluwa, and others. In a joint statement issued by Akande Daniel, Coordinator of the Movement for a Socialist Alternative (MSA); Omole Ibukun, Coordinator of Creatives for Change; and Gerald Katchy of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, the arrests were condemned as unjust, particularly in the northern regions where protesters were allegedly provoked into violence by security forces.<\/p>\n
The activists assert that no meaningful dialogue can occur with the government until their demands are met, specifically the immediate end to repression and the release of all detained protesters. They have called for an open debate with the Tinubu-led Federal Government to discuss the practical demands of the #EndBadGovernance movement.<\/p>\n
“Mobilizers of the #EndBadGovernance protests across the country will assemble a team to engage in a debate with relevant government officials, led by President Tinubu himself, on why our demands are both practicable and affordable. The Tinubu government should not ignore these calls,” the statement read.<\/p>\n
The groups also detailed the cases of specific activists, including Comrade Micheal Lenin and Mosiu Sodiq, who were subjected to severe violations of their rights. Lenin, who served as a mobilizer for the protests in Abuja, was reportedly trailed to his home by a joint team of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Police, using an illegally tapped phone. They arrested everyone in his apartment, including Sodiq, who was not involved in the protests.<\/p>\n
Lenin’s arrest, in particular, has drawn significant attention due to the bizarre reasoning behind it. According to the activists, the Nigerian state subjected Lenin to intense surveillance before abducting him in the middle of the night based on unsubstantiated intelligence that linked him to Russian flags being raised in parts of the country. The activists argue that the connection made between Lenin, whose political name is inspired by the Russian revolutionary leader, and supposed foreign-sponsored terrorism is absurd and laughable.<\/p>\n
“The attempt to link Comrade Micheal Lenin, the National Coordinator of the Youth Rights Campaign, to some form of foreign-sponsored terrorism because of his political name is not only far-fetched, but also farcical. Comrade Lenin was arrested in the most inhumane manner,” the statement continued.<\/p>\n
The groups provided further details of Lenin\u2019s mistreatment, describing how he was blindfolded, handcuffed behind his back for nearly half a day, and dumped in a freezing cold cell. He and others were reportedly followed around by brutal and unstable police officials from the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), even when they needed to use the toilet.<\/p>\n
The Network of Abuja Left Groups emphasizes that the crackdown on peaceful protesters is a blatant violation of their rights and a dangerous precedent for the country. They insist that those responsible for these injustices be held accountable and that the government take immediate steps to address the underlying issues that sparked the protests in the first place.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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