During the 2024 Democracy Day Dinner, former Senator Shehu Sani accused the Nigeria Police Force of still detaining individuals involved in the 2020 EndSARS protests, a claim that has been refuted by the police.
At the dinner, Sani appealed to President Bola Tinubu to pardon the EndSARS protesters who he alleges are still in custody.
In a press release issued on Sunday by ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Police spokesperson, it was asserted that all detained individuals have been lawfully processed and that none are currently held in custody.
The statement from the Police reads, “The Nigeria Police Force unequivocally denies the recent accusations 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 erroneously claimed that some youths have been detained since the 2020 EndSARS protest.
“The Nigeria Police confirms that no individual is being unlawfully detained by the Nigeria Police Force or any other security agency in Nigeria as a result of the EndSARS protest.
“All arrested persons have been processed in adherence to the law, and none are being unlawfully held.”
The statement also mentioned that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State had pardoned around 100 suspects who were arrested during the EndSARS demonstrations.
“To reiterate, no one in Nigeria is currently in police detention or facing unjust persecution for participating in the EndSARS protest.
“The issues surrounding the protest have been extensively discussed, studied, and documented, with valuable lessons learned. We have reconciled and moved forward,” added the statement.
The police urged the public to disregard the allegations and maintain confidence in their commitment to uphold justice, rule of law, and human rights.
“We encourage verifying information before issuing public statements to prevent harm and provocation,” the statement concluded.