Protest violence: FG vows to probe sponsors, rejects foreign interference
…As Amnesty International alleges detention of over 1,000 protesters
Following the widespread violence that has affected most parts of the North in the aftermath of the commencement of the nationwide protests against bad governance and hunger, the Federal Government has warned that it will take appropriate action against any foreign entity found to have supported the recent #EndBadGovernance protests.
Speaking at a meeting in Abuja yesterday, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar said, “We will not tolerate foreign interference in our domestic affairs. We cherish our cordial relationships with other countries and organisations, but we will not take for granted any attempt to undermine our sovereignty.
“We value our relationships with other countries and organisations, but we will not compromise our sovereignty. We will take appropriate action against any foreign entity found to have supported the protesters,” Tuggar warned.
“We are committed to preventing the recurrence of such unfortunate incidents in the future. We will identify and bring to justice all those responsible,” Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said.
The government also assured that it will do everything possible to prevent the recurrence of such incidents and to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
Meanwhile, Amnesty International, a prominent global human rights organisation, has alleged that over 1,000 Nigerians who took part in a nationwide demonstration against escalating hunger and poor governance are currently being held in prisons throughout the country.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), the organisation remarked: “Instead of tackling the economic concerns raised by the protesters, Nigerian authorities have chosen to implement a crackdown.
“To date, over 1,000 individuals have been detained in connection with protests against hunger. Of these, at least 632 are in Kano and over 109 are in Sokoto.”
