Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), the Mouthpiece of Northern Nigeria has demanded the immediate release and compensation of citizens detained following their participation in the August 2024 #EndBadGovernance protests.

ACF’s National Publicity Secretary, Prof. Tukur Muhammad-Baba in a statement criticized the ongoing trial of the protesters—many of whom are reportedly minors, describing it as a gross display of official high-handedness.

According to the ACF, the Federal Government’s approach, including stringent bail conditions set at N10 million, reflects an “unwarranted crackdown” on citizens exercising their rights

Muhammad-Baba noted that the alleged treatment of detainees, which included instances of minors collapsing in court, has drawn national and international criticism

The ACF called on the government to halt the “sham treason trial,” release the detainees, and investigate the extended detention period, which it says exceeded the constitutional 24-hour limit.

The Forum however reiterated its prior warning to northern youth, advising caution regarding protests, yet argued that “nothing in this trial justifies the current treatment” of detainees.