Some protesters detained during the August 2024 #EndBadGovernance protests in Kaduna have denied allegations of torture while in custody at the Department of State Services (DSS). The protesters, who were released earlier in October, say they were treated appropriately during their detention and were not subjected to mistreatment or abuse.
The #EndBadGovernance protests, held between August 1 and 10, were sparked by widespread discontent over economic hardships facing citizens in Nigeria. Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, revealed that a total of 2,111 protesters were arrested by security agencies during the demonstrations.
According to sources within the DSS, six protesters were released after an investigation, with the agency noting that three others would be formally arraigned. A DSS official stated, “The DG is resolute in upholding the mandate of the Service to decisively investigate and bring to justice those who exploit such rights to perpetrate crime.”
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The six protesters who were freed, however, have insisted that their treatment was fair and that they were not tortured or mistreated while in DSS custody. They told journalists in Kaduna on Sunday that they were DJs who had been hired to play music during the protests, and were not among those taken to court in Abuja.
Dahiru Hamza, better known as DJ Zariya from Tudun Wada, Kaduna, explained that they were released in October 2024 following a review of their cases by the newly appointed DSS Director General. “Our release followed the DSS DG’s decision upon realizing our innocence,” Hamza said. “I was arrested on the 8th of August 2024. We were detained, but we were neither tortured nor starved. However, we were released without having to pay any bail and were asked to go and collect our sound systems, on the order of the DGSS.”
Hamza clarified that he had been misled by some of the protest organizers, who assured him that security agencies had granted permission for the protest. He also called on the government to focus on creating more employment opportunities for Nigeria’s youth.
Another released protester, Isa Abdullahi, also known as DJ SP, who was also active in the Kaduna protest, denied any claims of torture. Abdullahi stated that he was able to communicate freely with his wife during his detention and praised the DSS Director General for ordering their release without any conditions or charges. “We were treated well during our detention, and I appreciate the DSS for ensuring our release without any further issues,” he said.
Khaleed, who is reportedly the coordinator of the protest and the person responsible for hiring the DJs, also confirmed that he had been told the event had security clearance. He too was released, with all charges against him dropped on the orders of the DSS Director General, and was able to reunite with his family.