The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has denied allegations that it is still detaining protesters arrested during the #EndSARS protests in 2020.
The police made the disclosure in a statement released on Sunday by Force Spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi.
He said that all individuals arrested during the protests have been processed according to the law and none remain unlawfully detained.
The police response comes after former Senator Shehu Sani called on President Bola Tinubu to pardon #EndSARS protesters still in detention during a Democracy Day dinner on June 12.
However, Adejobi stated that the police have forgiven and moved on from the issues surrounding the protest, and encouraged the public to verify information before making statements to avoid harm and incitement.
He said, “The issues surrounding the protest have been debated, researched, and documented, and lessons have been learnt. We have forgiven ourselves and moved on.
“We urge the public to disregard this claim and remain assured of our commitment to upholding justice, the rule of law, and human rights.
“We encourage verifying information before making public statements to avoid harm and incitement.”
According to the police, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has pardoned over 100 suspects arrested during the protests.
The #EndSARS protests, which began in October 2020, saw Nigerian youths demanding an end to police brutality and the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). The protests led to the disbandment of SARS and the establishment of a new police unit but also resulted in arrests and detentions of protesters in cities across the country.
