Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has condemned the arrest of some protesters in the Federal Capital Territory and other parts of the Northern region.
Recall that some youths were arrested and detained by police operatives of the FCT on Wednesday for protesting against the spate of insecurity in the region.
The senior advocate in a statement on Thursday, titled ‘Release detained protesters against insecurity’ demanded the immediate and unconditional release of the detainees.
Falana described the police clamp-down as an utter breach of the fundamental rights of the protesters.
The reputable lawyer also reminded the police authorities of how the leaders of the All Progressive Congress led by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) took part in a protest against insecurity under then-President Goodluck Jonathan without any harassment whatsoever on November 20, 2014.
The statement read, “Yesterday (Wednesday), some young people participated in a peaceful protest against increasing insecurity in the northern part of Nigeria. In utter breach of the fundamental right of the protesters, the Nigeria Police Force violently disrupted the rally and arrested some of the participants.
“In stopping the peaceful rally the police violated the fundamental right of the unarmed protesters and others who were earlier arrested in Kano, Kaduna and Sokoto by the Police and the State Security Service.
“By abruptly stopping the protests, the security forces breached section 83 (4) of the Police Establishment Act which requires the police to provide adequate security for citizens who participate in peaceful meetings and rallies.”
