The Lagos State Police has issued a clarification regarding the young men who were recently released from detention after four years. The men were arrested during the EndSARS protests in 2020 and have been incarcerated since then.
On Thursday, August 22, an Ikeja Chief Magistrate’s Court ordered their release, sparking widespread reactions and questions about the prolonged detention of citizens for peaceful protesting.
In response, the police took to X to clarify that the men were not arrested or prosecuted solely for their participation in the protests. Instead, they were charged with breaking and stealing, which they allegedly committed under the guise of the EndSARS movement.
Reacting, the police said on X: “CLARIFICATION: They were not arrested or prosecuted for protesting. They were prosecuted for breaking and stealing, which they committed under the guise of #endsars protests.
“Although they were convicted, the court, in its wisdom, granted them pardon.”
