The Nigerian justice system is once again under intense scrutiny after a disturbing revelation that a teenager arrested during the 2020 #EndSARS protest spent six years inside Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison without trial, conviction, or formal justice, a development that has sparked outrage among human rights advocates and reignited debate about state repression in Nigeria.
Human rights advocate Francis Nwapa has condemned what he described as “organised cruelty” following the prolonged detention of Rasheed Wasiu, who was arrested at just 17 years old during the historic EndSARS protests and detained at Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison for six years without trial.
In a strongly worded press statement issued Thursday, March 26, 2026, titled “He Was 17, Not A Criminal. But The State Stole 6 Years Of His Life. #EndSARS,” Nwapa described Wasiu’s detention as a “damning indictment” of Nigeria’s justice system and a reflection of what he called systemic repression against young Nigerians.
According to Nwapa, Wasiu’s case is not merely a tragic mistake but evidence of a deeper structural injustice where youths who demanded accountability during the 2020 protests were treated as enemies of the state.
“The harrowing case of Rasheed Wasiu, a young Nigerian who has just regained freedom after spending six brutal years in detention, stands as a damning indictment of the Nigerian state and its repressive machinery,” Nwapa stated.
“Arrested as a 17-year-old minor during the historic EndSARS protests, Wasiu’s unjust incarceration in Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison exposes the depth of cruelty, lawlessness, and class hatred embedded in the system.”
The revelation has triggered renewed concerns about the fate of other detainees arrested during the protests who activists say remain behind bars years after the demonstrations ended.
Nwapa argued that Wasiu’s experience reflects a wider pattern.
“This is not an isolated tragedy; it is a reflection of a regime that has consistently declared war on young people and the working class,” he said.
The activist further described the situation as proof of institutional failure, noting that detaining a minor for six years without trial violates both Nigerian law and international human rights conventions.
“That a minor could be locked away for six years without trial or conviction reveals a government utterly bankrupt of morality and accountability,” he added.
He demanded an immediate and transparent investigation into the conduct of the now-disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad, calling on the Inspector General of Police to oversee the process.
Nwapa also called for:
• Immediate release of all remaining #EndSARS detainees
• Prosecution of officers responsible for unlawful arrests and torture
• Compensation and rehabilitation for victims
• Full implementation of judicial panel recommendations
“A society that devours its youth is digging its own grave,” he warned.
“Nigeria cannot claim to seek progress while it chains its future behind prison walls.”
The #EndSARS protest began in October 2020 as a youth-led movement against police brutality, particularly abuses linked to the now-disbanded SARS unit. What started as online outrage quickly escalated into nationwide protests across Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and other major cities.
The protests reached a global flashpoint on October 20, 2020, when soldiers opened fire on peaceful demonstrators at the Lekki Toll Gate, triggering international condemnation and intensifying calls for justice and accountability.
Despite the government’s announcement that SARS had been disbanded, distrust remained high, and protests continued, with demonstrators demanding deeper reforms and prosecution of officers accused of abuses.
Several judicial panels were later established across states to investigate complaints, but activists say implementation of recommendations has been slow and selective, with many victims still awaiting justice.
Human rights groups have repeatedly alleged that dozens — possibly hundreds — of individuals arrested during the protests remained detained for years without trial, raising serious concerns about due process and rule of law.
For many observers, Rasheed Wasiu’s story represents more than one young man’s lost years — it symbolizes a generation’s broken trust.
“Freedom for all #EndSARS detainees now! Justice for Rasheed Wasiu! End state terror against Nigerian youth!” Nwapa concluded.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with youth unemployment, insecurity, and governance challenges, the case has once again raised a troubling question — whether the country is protecting its youth, or punishing them for demanding change.