Amnesty International has raised alarm over reports of a crackdown on peaceful protesters in Abuja calling for the release of detained activist Nnamdi Kanu.
In a statement issued on Monday, the global rights group described the arrests as disturbing and called for the immediate release of those detained.
It warned that any action undermining the right to peaceful assembly is illegal and reflects intolerance of dissent.
“People must be allowed to freely exercise their right to peaceful protest,” Amnesty said.
“Any act capable of undermining freedom of assembly is illegal and portrays unacceptable intolerance of peaceful dissent.”
The organisation urged Nigerian authorities to ensure that security agencies respect and facilitate peaceful demonstrations, as guaranteed by the country’s constitution and international human rights treaties.
These include the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Nigeria is a signatory.
Amnesty called on the government to demonstrate its commitment to human rights by allowing citizens to freely express themselves and assemble without fear.
Ravenewsonline reports that protests demanding Kanu’s release have continued in parts of the country, with rights groups urging restraint and dialogue.
