Amnesty International has issued a statement demanding the immediate release of 19 protesters who have been detained by the Borno State government since August for participating in #EndBadGovernance demonstrations. Among those detained are three minors, underscoring the international human rights organization’s concerns over the treatment of young people involved in peaceful protests.
The Borno State government arraigned the protesters at State High Court 10 in Maiduguri, pressing charges of “treason” and accusations of using social media to “defame” Governor Babagana Zulum and incite citizens against the state. Amnesty International has criticized these charges as “bogus,” stating they represent an attempt to stifle legitimate dissent and silence opposition voices.
The organization underscored that the right to peaceful protest is a fundamental aspect of democratic society and is protected both under Nigeria’s constitution and international law.
Amnesty’s statement emphasized that the criminalization of peaceful protests is contrary to the Nigerian constitution, which guarantees citizens the freedom of assembly and expression. It further highlighted that international human rights standards, to which Nigeria is a signatory, similarly protect these freedoms, and Amnesty urged the government to respect its obligations under these agreements.
Amnesty International also called for an immediate withdrawal of the charges, noting that penalizing protesters could set a dangerous precedent in Nigeria, where public protests have become a powerful tool for expressing social grievances and driving democratic reforms. The organization warned that the misuse of treason charges could deter citizens from exercising their right to peaceful assembly and push dissent underground, thereby weakening civic engagement and the ability to hold leaders accountable.
The #EndBadGovernance protests, which initially sparked due to frustrations with public governance, have seen a significant response from Nigerian youth who are increasingly vocal on social media and in public demonstrations. Amnesty International has expressed concern that the Borno State government’s response could escalate tensions and potentially lead to further instances of repression if citizens fear retribution for peaceful advocacy.
Amnesty urged the Borno State government to immediately release all protesters, especially the minors, who have been detained for exercising their rights. The organization reaffirmed its commitment to monitoring the situation closely and to advocating for human rights protections in Nigeria and across the region.
