Andrew Wynne, a British national who was wanted by the Nigeria police for allegedly plotting to overthrow the President Bola Tinubu-led government, has broken his silence.

Speaking on Monday, September 2, in a statement titled “Protests, not treason,” he said: “The mass protests over #EndBadGovernance and #EndHunger frightened the government. However, the government turned to repression rather than addressing the people’s demands. Perhaps 40 people were murdered by the police and other security forces, thousands were arrested, and many remain in captivity.

In Abuja, the authorities have attacked the so-called leaders and organisers of the protests. Ten people face ridiculous charges including treason, mutiny and levying war against the state.

The 10 detainees have been accused of conspiracy to commit a range of serious crimes. However, they barely know each other. 5 of them may have been members of a WhatsApp group set up to organise the protests in Abuja.