Arrest: Police free 10 minors from Nasarawa protest

The Police Command in Nasarawa State has announced the release of 10 minors who were arrested during the nationwide protest.

DSP Ramhan Nansel, the state’s Police Public Relations Officer, revealed this information in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria.

The interview took place on August 8, 2024, in Lafia.

NAN reports that on August 1, the first day of the protest, police arrested 50 protesters in four Local Government Areas.

They were allegedly arrested for attacking personnel and looting.

The report also indicates that out of those detained, 25 were arrested in Lafia, 16 in Karu, six in Keffi, and three in Mararaba Udege of Nasarawa Local Government Area.

Nansel stated that 10 minors among the 50 protesters were released to their parents and guardians.

However, he noted that the remaining 40 had been charged in court.

The police spokesperson urged the public to continue their lawful activities without fear of intimidation.

Illegal arrest under Nigerian law

According to Nigerian law, an arrest is considered illegal if it violates the prescribed procedures or occurs without proper reason or a warrant.

Examples of unlawful arrest include:

Arrests made without probable cause, arresting the wrong person (known as “arrest in lieu”), or arrests driven by malice or personal gain are considered unlawful.

Additionally, arrests not following the prescribed procedure are also deemed unlawful.

Similarly, arrests made without informing the suspect of their rights or reasons are also deemed unlawful.

The Constitution of Nigeria also provides that no person shall be detained for more than 48 hours without being granted bail or charged to court.

Unlawful casualties of the protest

The End Bad Governance protests in Nigeria, also known as #EndBadGovernance or #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria, are ongoing.

These decentralized mass protests are in response to the rising cost of living in the country.

These demonstrations began on August 1, 2024, with protesters demanding an end to economic hardship and bad governance.

On August 1, 2024, the protests turned violent as Nigerian security agencies attempted to quell them. Scores were killed by the Army and Police across Nigeria.

At least 14 protesters were killed in various states, including Borno, Niger, Kaduna, and Jigawa.

In Kano State, authorities critically injured four protesters and unlawfully arrested journalists covering the protests.

Police arrested Journalist Jide Oyekunle of the Daily Independent while he was reporting on the Abuja protests.

Reports say police killed 21, arrested over 1,100, and injured 175 on the protest’s first day.

The protests have significantly impacted the nation, causing loss of life, property damage, and disruption to economic activities.

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