Take It Back Movement Says Police Report On EndSARS Detainee Misleading, Insist Scores of Protesters Still Languish in Detention

Take It Back Movement has condemned the misleading statements issued by ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Nigeria Police Force spokesperson, regarding the detention of #EndSARS protesters.

The Nigeria Police Force had on Sunday denied having any #EndSARS protester unlawfully detained in its custody or being detained by other security agencies across the country.

The statement is believed to be a response to Senator Shehu Sani’s call on President Bola Tinubu to release #EndSARS protesters who are still languishing in police detention almost four years after the October 2020 protest.

Reacting to the police claim, Take It Back Movement Lagos coordinator, Adekunle Adeyemi Taofeeq, has responded to the statement issued by the Police spokesperson ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi.

Speaking on behalf of the movement, Taofeeq vehemently rejected the claims, stating that the movement is in possession of information that contradicts the assertion that there are no illegally detained protesters.

“Take It Back Movement has been made aware of the recent statement by ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Nigeria Police Force Public Relations Officer, in which he denied that any #EndSARS protester is unlawfully detained by the police or other security agencies across the country.

“The statement directly contradicts the information available to us, and we are gravely concerned that multiple protesters remain incarcerated without due process or consideration for their human rights.”, he said.

Taofeeq continued his rebuttal, stating that ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi’s claim is entirely false and constitutes an attempt to conceal the grievous human rights violations perpetrated against peaceful protesters. In a scathing rebuke, Taofeeq highlighted the Nigerian police’s history of impunity, asserting that such baseless denials merely perpetuate the widespread culture of unaccountability within the country’s security forces.

“The claim is utterly false and a blatant attempt to whitewash the horrific human rights violations that have been committed against peaceful protesters.

“The Nigeria Police’s baseless assertions only serve to further entrench the culture of impunity that plagues our nation’s security forces. By denying the continued detention of peaceful protesters, the government is effectively endorsing state-sanctioned violence and repression.

“In a country where police brutality, extrajudicial killings, and unlawful detention are pervasive, the Nigerian government’s attempt to obscure the truth of the ongoing detention of peaceful protesters is deeply concerning.”

Unwavering in his call for justice, he urged all Nigerians, along with the international community, to join the movement in its demand for the immediate and unconditional release of the detained protesters. Taofeeq emphasized that the Take It Back Movement will not remain silent in the face of such injustices and vowed to hold the responsible parties accountable for their actions.

“The Take It Back Movement will not stand idly by as innocent Nigerians are unjustly imprisoned and abused. We call on all Nigerians and the international community to join us in demanding that these detained protesters be released immediately and that those responsible for their unjust incarceration be held accountable.”, he added

He concluded by demanding the immediate and unconditional release of seven protesters that the movement know of, who are still detained illegally in various centers across Nigeria.

“The Take It Back Movement, in full awareness of the truth, demands the immediate and unconditional release of the seven protesters (Dare Williams, Daniel Joyibo, Adigun Sodiq, Ismail Mufutau, Ismail Olaogun, Rasheed Wasiu Bolaji, Moshood Biola) that we know are still being held illegally in detention centers across Nigeria. This is not just an issue of freedom of expression, but of justice and basic human rights. The authorities must cease their repression and recognize the peaceful protests as a legitimate expression of the people’s grievances.”

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