The Department of State Services has released six protesters who were arrested during the #EndBadGovernance demonstrations in Kaduna State, which took place between August 1 and 10, 2024.
The protests were sparked by public outcry over the ongoing economic challenges faced by Nigerians.
Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, had earlier revealed that 2,111 protesters were arrested across the country during the protests.
According to The PUNCH, a source within the DSS, confirmed the release of the six individuals following the conclusion of investigations. However, three other protesters are set to face legal proceedings.
The source stated, “On September 19, 2024, six individuals detained in Kaduna were released after being cleared by the investigation. Meanwhile, three others are being prosecuted for cases that established a prima facie.”
The Director-General of the DSS was reportedly committed to ensuring that the rights of citizens were respected, while also holding accountable those who were found to have used the protests as a cover for criminal activity.
“The DG DSS directed the immediate release of those who were cleared and arrested for their roles in the protests. The service remains resolute in its mandate to investigate and bring to justice those who exploit such rights to commit crimes,” the source added.
Efforts to reach the DSS spokesperson for comments were unsuccessful as of the time of this report.
