We Were Not Tortured By DSS In Detention – Released Protesters Say

Some of the protesters against hunger, skyrocketing inflation on the banner of #EndBadGovernance that were arrested in August 2024 following violent demonstrations in Kaduna, have debunked claims made by one of their sponsors, Khalid, he and others were tortured while in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).

One of the protesters, Dahiru Hamza, pointedly said that they were not in any way maltreated while in the detention of the DSS.

He further said tyhat their eventual release was facilitated by the Director General of the DSS, Mr. Adeola Ajayi.

Hamza said; “Our detention was fair and devoid of any form of maltreatment. It is not true that we were maltreated in detention.

“If I was tortured, I would not hesitate to say it now that I am free. Khalid’s claim is false,” he explained.

Hamza expressed serious disappointment in Khalid, who he said allegedly misled them into believing that they had police authorization for the protest which eventually led to their arrest.

Also speaking, another of the protesters, Abdullahi Isa said; “We were in the same room with Khalid, and nobody touched or beat anyone. The new DSS DG’s intervention led to our release after our guardians wrote statements on our behalf”.

The protesters commended the Director General of the DSS, Mr Adeola Ajayi for reviewing their cases and facilitating their release, including Khalid’s.

The statements of Dahiru Hamza and Abdullahi Isa clear;y contradicted Khalid’s allegations of torture while highlighting reforms under the Director-General of the DSS.