Hamza Waziri, the CEO of the Initiative for Liberalisation of Physically Challenged People in Nigeria, has voiced his outrage following an alleged assault by police officers during the EndbadGovernance protest in Bauchi on Thursday.
In an exclusive interview with LEADERSHIP Weekend, Waziri recounted the harrowing experience, asserting that he was merely exercising his constitutional right to peaceful protest when he was attacked by law enforcement officers near the Government House in Bauchi.
“Imagine a world where exercising your constitutional right to peaceful protest is met with violence and brutality,” Waziri lamented. “This is the unfortunate reality that I personally faced today in broad daylight when I staged a peaceful protest in front of Bauchi State Government House.”
Waziri described the incident as a blatant abuse of power by the police. “Simply for standing up for my rights, basic human rights, I was assaulted by the police. One of them was named AS Shira. The police, the very institution meant to protect and serve us citizens, responded with violence and cruelty, with no regard for decency.”
Waziri explained his reasons for joining the national protest, citing the desperate circumstances faced by persons with disabilities in Bauchi State. “There are no jobs for us, no equal opportunities that the disability law in Nigeria mandates,” he said, highlighting the systemic discrimination and neglect that individuals with disabilities endure. This dire situation, he noted, compelled him to stage a peaceful protest as a last resort.
“This horrible incident is directly in breach of Section 40 of the Nigerian Constitution that allows peaceful protest,” Waziri asserted. “This calls for our collective outrage and action, and we must demand accountability. It is a shame that this needs to be said, but no one should face such violence for seeking justice.”
In response to the incident, the Bauchi State government expressed deep concern. Mukhtar Gidado Mohammed, the special adviser to the governor on media and publicity, released a statement underscoring the administration’s commitment to the welfare and rights of all citizens, particularly vulnerable groups.
“We wish to categorically state that the Bauchi State government under the inspirational leadership of Governor Bala Mohammed does not condone any form of violence or misconduct by law enforcement officers attached to the Government House or any government personnel,” the statement read.
Mohammed announced that the government would initiate a thorough investigation into the incident to ascertain the facts. He assured the public that if the officers involved were found to have acted improperly, they would be held accountable.
“The state government remains committed to upholding the principles of justice, fairness, and respect for human rights,” Mohammed emphasized, reinforcing the administration’s dedication to addressing such issues and preventing future occurrences.
The incident has sparked widespread condemnation and calls for justice from various quarters, with many urging the government to take swift action to ensure that the rights of all citizens, especially the most vulnerable, are protected.
As the investigation unfolds, the public eagerly awaits the outcome, hoping for a resolution that will uphold justice and reinforce the commitment to human rights and equality in Bauchi State. The case of Hamza Waziri serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing struggles faced by individuals with disabilities in Nigeria and the urgent need for systemic change to address their plight.
