Nigeria Police Releases Women Rights Activist After Hours-Long Detention

Nigerian Police has released a leading campaigner for women’s rights after detaining her for nearly ten hours in Abuja, activists say.

Maryam Awaisu, an activist and a leader of the #ArewaMeToo movement was reportedly picked up by operatives of the special anti-robbery squad (SARS) in Kaduna state and whisked to Abuja.

Awaisu’s brief detention prompted Amnesty International to put out a statement demanding her release.

” Maryam Awaisu @Ice131Queen has been released, Amnesty International said on twitter. ” Though she is free now, her arrest and detention was aimed at intimidating women rights activists pursuing justice for victims of sexual violence.”