Police Brutality in Abuja Protests Condemned by HURIWA

The FCT Command was criticized by the group for exhibiting brutal and unprofessional behavior, which involved taking numerous people into custody who had congregated at the stadium on Saturday.

The arrests occurred outside the designated protest stadium as reported by HURIWA.

The organization advocating for rights criticized recent decisions from the high courts in Lagos and Abuja with regards to protests being limited to designated areas, citing their belief that such restrictions unfairly undermine the credibility of the judiciary.

HURIWA criticized the issuance of “ghost orders” by courts, stating that it undermines the integrity of the judiciary and weakens adherence to basic human rights. This was expressed by their national coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko in a statement.

On the third day of the protest, HURIWA stated that despite an initial absence of demonstrators, small groups began to gather later in the morning.

The police’s reaction included gunfire and teargas leading to multiple arrests. Journalists who were covering this event also faced detainment but were released when their credentials were confirmed.

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The organization compared the conduct of law enforcement to that of an authoritarian regime, urging Nigerian citizens to stand up against any violations on democratic principles.

They condemned the utilization of violence and lethal rounds targeted towards nonviolent demonstrators while advocating for a thorough inquiry into the actions taken by law officers responsible.

The Kaduna State police commissioner’s stance on handling protestors was criticized by HURIWA, which demanded a complete overhaul of the security framework in Nigeria and specifically within the Nigerian Police Force.

They decried treating protesters as violators of the law.

The warning issued stressed the importance of accountability and respect for human rights in law enforcement practices, as continued instances of police brutality could lead to a renewed wave of protests akin to the #ENDSARS movement.