Two protesters arrested during the August 2024 EndBadGovernance nationwide protest have denied claims of torture while in the custody of the Department of State Security (DSS), instead praising the DSS Director General for their unconditional release.
The protesters, who were both DJs playing music at the protest in Kaduna, were detained at the DSS office in the state but were not among those arrested and taken to court in Abuja. They were released in October 2024, following a review of their cases by the newly appointed DSS DG, who personally met with them during their detention.
Isa Abdullahi, arrested on August 2, 2024, and one of the released protesters, strongly denied allegations of torture. He stated that he had regular communication with his wife and was provided with adequate food and medication during his detention. Abdullahi praised the DSS DG, saying, “We were released without any charges on the order of the DSS DG.”
Dahiru Hamza, another protester from Tudun Wada, Kaduna, explained that he was arrested on August 8, after initially evading capture during the protest. Like Abdullahi, he denied being tortured or starved, stating, “We were neither tortured nor starved.” Hamza added that they were released without having to pay bail, and were even allowed to retrieve their sound systems, again thanks to the directive of the DSS DG.
Hamza also expressed regret for being misled by some protest organizers, who had falsely claimed that the security agencies had granted permission for the protest. He called on the government to create more job opportunities for young people.
The release of these protesters is part of a broader pattern, as reports indicate that charges against other protesters and organizers, including one who had hired the DJs, were also dropped under the new leadership of the DSS.
