SEVEN Nigerian youths have been convicted and sentenced to five years in prison, community services, and public flogging in Borno State over the August 1–10, 2024 #EndBadGovernance protests.
Amnesty International Nigeria, which made this revelation in a post on its X (formerly Twitter) account on Thursday, said the teenagers and youths, aged between 15 and 17 years, were charged by Governor Babagana Zulum’s administration for creating a “Protest Group” on WhatsApp.
“Right now, seven persons languish in jail in Maiduguri Borno state after being convicted to, among others, five years in prison over #EndBadGovernance protests,” the global human rights advocacy organisation stated.
“Amnesty International strongly condemns Borno state government for the sham trial based on bogus charges that lead to the conviction and sentencing of the seven youth to: ranging from community services, and caning for the children, to five years imprisonment for the adults.”
“The Borno state government charging them with: ‘form[ing] a group named ‘Zanga Zanga’ Group (or Protest Group) on WhatsApp…to take up arms…against the Government’ and ‘agreeing to take up arms … against the Government,’ is beyond bizarre,” the statement added.
Amnesty International identified the convicted teenagers and youths as Mohammed Ali, Mohammed Gajimi (alias Bakura), 17 years old; Muhammed Mustapha (alias Gudusu), 14 years old; Muhammed Mustapha (alias Abbas), 15 years old; Muhammed Kyari (alias Mome); Muhammed Bukar (alias Awana), and Ibrahim Muhammed (alias Babayo).
Condemning their sentencing, Amnesty International said, “These outrageous convictions are a blatant attempt to silence these youths.
“Clearly, this serves as a threat to any young person who dares to stand up against injustice and corruption. These youths have done absolutely nothing wrong.”
“It beggars belief that these young and brave people are behind bars for daring to peacefully express dissent over widespread hunger and corruption in Nigeria,” the organisation added.
Amnesty International demanded that the Borno state government “must quash these convictions and all the seven youths be immediately and unconditionally released.”
“The Nigerian authorities must respect, protect, promote, and fulfill the right of everyone to freedom of expression and assembly,” it added.
The #EndBadGovernance protests, which erupted nationwide between August 1 and 10, 2024, were primarily driven by young Nigerians who took to the streets and online spaces to express anger over worsening economic hardship, spiraling inflation, food shortages, corruption, and insecurity.
What began as small, decentralised demonstrations in cities like Kano, Kaduna, Lagos, and Abuja quickly spread across several states, including Borno, where residents joined in despite a heavy security presence.
The protests echoed the 2020 #EndSARS demonstrations, with thousands of young Nigerians using hashtags such as #EndBadGovernance, #EndHunger, and #EndCorruption to mobilise support.
Human rights groups reported several arrests, violent crackdowns by security forces, and multiple deaths during the protests.
Particularly, Amnesty International reported that at least 24 protesters were killed by the Nigeria Police Force and other security agents deployed with firearms and live ammunition against the protesters.
However, despite the damning reports with identities of the victims, President Bola Tinubu’s administration has insisted that the protest was infiltrated by “subversive elements” and accused organisers of attempting to destabilise the country.
Civil society organisations have continued to demand accountability for what they describe as the criminalization of peaceful dissent.