Fear, Uncertainty Greet Continued Detention of #EndBadGovernance Female Protester

Concerns have continued to mount over the prolonged detention of a prominent convener of the EndBadGovernance protest, Miss Emmanuel Joy Ogbonne, as her family, colleagues, and human rights groups raise urgent alarm over her safety and deteriorating health in police custody.

Miss Ogbonne has remained in detention since participating in the nationwide protests against economic hardship, hunger, and rising inflation, a crisis many Nigerians have described as the worst in a generation following soaring food prices and the removal of fuel subsidies.

Speaking with our correspondent, a human rights activist Mr. Okwudili Ogbonnaya described her detention as “deeply troubling and shrouded in uncertainty,” noting that her disappearance initially left loved ones confused and distressed. According to him, Miss Ogbonne was among protesters who gathered in Abuja on August 1, 2024, before the demonstration turned chaotic.

Investigations revealed that more than 1,000 protesters were arrested in the Federal Capital Territory during the agitation, which reportedly escalated after police deployed tear gas and live ammunition to disperse demonstrators.

Mr. Ogbonnaya, who has been at the forefront of efforts to locate and secure Miss Ogbonne’s release, said repeated attempts to reach her by phone yielded no response, heightening fears about her whereabouts. Relief came only after information emerged through the office of the Assistant Inspector-General (AIG) of Police in Benin, confirming that she was among those detained in Abuja.

He recounted being granted access to see her in custody, describing her physical condition as “alarming” and attributing it to what he called dehumanising treatment. Efforts to perfect her bail, he said, were repeatedly frustrated, with applications allegedly rejected without clear justification.

Mr. Ogbonnaya suggested that political interference may be responsible for the prolonged detention, alleging attempts by powerful interests to suppress or hijack the protest movement. He warned that the situation is particularly worrying given reports that many detained EndBadGovernance protesters are malnourished and subjected to harsh treatment.

Miss Emmanuel Joy Ogbonne

As of the time of filing this report, Miss Emmanuel Joy Ogbonne remains in custody in Abuja.

Mr. Ogbonnaya who further appealed to well-meaning Nigerians, civil society groups, and the international community, vowed to continue pursuing her release.

“No matter the bail conditions,” he said, “we will do everything humanly possible to ensure her freedom and safety”, he further stated.

The case has renewed calls for respect for fundamental human rights and due process amid Nigeria’s ongoing economic and social tensions.