On Saturday morning, August 3, as many as 11 youths and residents In Yobe State were arrested as operatives of the Nigeria Police Force began clamping down on the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest.

SaharaReporters reports that the arrested youths were forcefully taken at their places of residence in Damaturu, Potiskum and Gashua areas of Yobe State.

A source privy to the situation told SaharaReporters that those arrested were deemed to have been at the forefront and outspoken during the ongoing nationwide protest in the state.

The source said, “A number of youths were also arrested in Damaturu and Potiskum in what appears to be an attempt to punish those who were outspoken about the ongoing economic hardship.

“At least 11 youths arrested in Gashua have been taken to state police CID in Damaturu.

“Right now the arrests have been generating tension, as people are concerned that the witchhunt might be expanded to punish all those who participated in the peaceful protests.”

In a similar report, global human rights organisation, Amnesty International had also demanded the immediate release of Umar Danjani — one of the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria Protesters — who was arrested in Jigawa State.

SaharaReporters learnt that Danjani was arrested on Thursday by the Nigerian Police Force while exercising his constitutional right with other thousands of Nigeria in Jigawa State.

It was learnt further that the police arraigned him yesterday to secure an order to remand him at Birnin Kudi prison in Jigawa State.

“Amnesty International calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Umar Danjani — one of the protesters against hunger — who was hurriedly remanded in Birnin Kudi prison. Subjecting critical voices to intimidation and arbitrary arrests for speaking out is unlawful,” Amnesty International wrote on X.

“Jigawa state Police HQ and DSS have unlawfully arrested and detained Umar Danjani Hadejia for carrying out a protest in Jigawa state. @umarmega,” Comrade Abiyos Roni announced on Thursday.