African activists have condemned the Nigerian government for what they describe as a surge in authoritarianism, arbitrary detention, and the mass incarceration of peaceful #EndBadGovernance protesters and journalists.

In a joint statement, they declared, the wish to unequivocally condemn the surge in authoritarianism, arbitrary detention, torture, and mass incarceration in Nigeria.”

The activists expressed deep concern over the treatment of protesters and critics under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.“We are concerned about the level of intolerance and cruelty that the regime of President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria has consistently meted out to peaceful protesters, journalists, and voices of dissent in Nigeria,” the statement continued.

The group highlighted the detention of over 2,100 protesters, including teenagers, who have been held without charge.“Nigeria, a supposedly democratic country, arbitrarily arrested over 2,100 protesters, including teenagers, all of whom have been kept incommunicado without any charge and with the support of the courts in Nigeria,” the activists warned.

The case of journalist Isaac Bristol, identified by the police as the person behind PIDOMNigeria account on X, has drawn particular attention. Bristol, a whistleblower and anti-corruption advocate, was reportedly abducted by security forces on August 5, 2024.“Mr. Isaac Bristol, a well-known whistleblower and anti-corruption journalist, was abducted on August 5, 2024, by more than 15 fully armed operatives of multiple Nigerian security agencies and has since been kept in solitary confinement,” the statement revealed.

The activists expressed serious concern about the conditions of Bristol’s detention.

“We are seriously concerned about the inhuman conditions under which PIDOM is being held, his brutal torture, and his restriction from accessing legal representation, medical attention, and other necessary support for his survival in unlawful detention,” they said.

Calling for action, the statement demanded, “We call on the government of President Tinubu of Nigeria to immediately release all unlawfully detained 2,111 #EndBadGovernance protesters.”
The group emphasized that the Nigerian government will be held accountable for any harm to the detainees.
“We strongly affirm our position that we will hold the government of Nigeria under President Tinubu responsible for all threats against the continued survival and wellbeing of Mr. Isaac Bristol and the thousands of unlawfully detained peaceful protesters in Nigeria,” they said.

The statement reads, “We, the undersigned, wish to unequivocally condemn the surge in authoritarianism, arbitrary detention, torture, and mass incarceration in Nigeria.

“We are concerned about the level of intolerance and cruelty that the regime of President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria has consistently meted out to peaceful protesters, journalists, and voices of dissent in Nigeria.

“We are alarmed that Nigeria, a supposedly democratic country, arbitrarily arrested over 2,100 protesters, including teenagers, all of whom have been kept incommunicado without any charge and with the support of the courts in Nigeria.”

They said, “We are seriously concerned about the inhuman conditions under which PIDOM is being held, his brutal torture, and his restriction from accessing legal representation, medical attention, and other necessary support for his survival in unlawful detention.

“We call on the government of President Tinubu of Nigeria to immediately release all unlawfully detained 2,111 #EndBadGovernance protesters. We equally demand the immediate release of Mr. Isaac Bristol or that he be lawfully arraigned in court and allowed access to his lawyers and medical attention.
“We strongly affirm our position that we will hold the government of Nigeria under President Tinubu responsible for all threats against the continued survival and wellbeing of Mr. Isaac Bristol and the thousands of unlawfully detained peaceful protesters in Nigeria.”