Pro-Democracy Groups CDHR, Others Condemn Nigerian Police Over Arrest Of Three Members In Abuja

Several pro-democracy groups have strongly condemned the Nigerian police for the recent arrest of three of their members in Abuja, demanding their immediate release and the dropping of all charges against them. The groups involved, including the Democratic Socialist Movement, the Revolutionary Socialist Movement, the Creative Change Centre, and the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, issued a joint statement expressing outrage over what they described as the arbitrary detention of their members.

According to the statement released on Monday, the arrests stemmed from a tenancy dispute that had already been resolved in court. The detained members, identified as Daniel Babatunde Akande, Bilal Dakiyak Abdullahi, and Abdullahi Mohammed, were allegedly held at the Kurudu police station since June 14, surpassing the legally permissible 72-hour detention period for bailable offenses. The groups accused the police of brutality and harassment, emphasizing that the charges against their members were unjustified and appeared to favor the opposing party in the dispute.

The statement, signed by prominent activists including Adaramoye Michael Lenin and Salako Kayode, criticized the police for disregarding the victims’ fundamental rights and accused them of siding with the landlady involved in the dispute, despite evidence of assault perpetrated against their members by her associates. It highlighted broader concerns about housing conditions in Abuja, alleging that tenants often face mistreatment and intimidation from property owners backed by law enforcement.

Furthermore, the pro-democracy groups underscored their commitment to addressing the housing crisis in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), emphasizing the need to challenge the influence of private developers who they claim exploit their power to displace vulnerable communities for commercial gain. They pledged to intensify their advocacy efforts despite the detention of their members, vowing not to be silenced by what they perceive as unjust actions by the authorities.

In addition to demanding the immediate release of the arrested individuals and the dropping of charges, the groups called for a thorough investigation into the conduct of the police officers involved. They asserted that such incidents underscore the ongoing challenges faced by activists and ordinary citizens in Nigeria, where the right to dissent and advocate for social justice is often met with repression and legal intimidation.

In conclusion, the joint statement by these pro-democracy groups represents a unified protest against perceived police misconduct and the broader socio-economic issues affecting vulnerable communities in Abuja. It highlights the ongoing struggle for human rights and justice within Nigeria’s legal and political framework, urging accountability and respect for constitutional rights in law enforcement practices.