The Nigeria Police Force has refuted the statement made by a former Senator, Shehu Sani, during the 2024 Democracy Day Dinner, where he alleged that some individuals who were involved in the 2020 EndSARS protests are still being detained.
Speaking at the dinner on Wednesday, Sani called on President Bola Tinubu to pardon the EndSARS protesters, who are still in detention.
In a press release signed by the Force’s spokesperson, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on Sunday, the police denied the assertion, stating that all detained persons have been processed in accordance with the law and none are currently held in custody.
The statement read, “The Nigeria Police Force categorically denies the recent allegations made by Senator Shehu Sani at the 2024 Democracy Day Dinner on June 12, 2024, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where the former Senator falsely claimed that some young people have been detained since the 2020 EndSARS protest.
“The Nigeria Police affirms that no individual is being unlawfully detained by the Nigeria Police Force or any other security agency in Nigeria due to the EndSARS protest.
“All arrested individuals have been processed according to the law, and none remain unlawfully detained.”
The statement further cited Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State as having pardoned about 100 suspects who were arrested during the EndSARS protests.
“For emphasis, no one anywhere in Nigeria is under police detention or being wrongly persecuted for participating in the EndSARS protest.
“The issues surrounding the protest have been debated, researched, and documented, and lessons have been learned. We have forgiven ourselves and moved on,” the statement added.
The police further urged the public to disregard the claim and remain assured of their commitment to upholding justice, the rule of law, and human rights.
“We encourage verifying information before making public statements to avoid harm and incitement,” the statement concluded.