Freedom has finally come for Wasiu Rasheed, a Lagos youth who spent six years behind bars after being arrested during the October 2020 EndSARS protests and later cleared of all charges by a court.
Rasheed, now 23, was released from Kirikiri Correctional Centre weeks after a judge discharged and acquitted him, ending a long legal battle that began when he was just 17.
Speaking in an interview with BBC Pidgin, Rasheed recounted how his life changed on October 20, 2020, when security operatives arrested him in front of his home in the Zamura area of Lagos despite pleas from his mother and neighbours.
He said he had been on his way to work when unrest linked to the protests forced him to return home. He was later picked up alongside others and taken to a military facility, where he was held for weeks before being transferred to Kirikiri.
Although initially accused of street violence, Rasheed said the charge presented in court was unlawful possession of firearms, a case he maintained was unjust. Like many others arrested during the protests, he was not directly linked to any violent activity.
Rasheed described his years in detention as the most difficult period of his life, explaining that survival inside the prison depended heavily on financial support. He said inmates without such support faced overcrowding, poor food, and limited access to medical care.
To cope, he took on small jobs within the prison, including washing clothes and selling items, in order to afford basic needs while waiting for court appearances that were often delayed.
His case eventually returned to court in 2026, where the charges were struck out. According to reports, his release on March 4 was made possible through legal intervention by the Take It Back Movement, which took over his case and pursued his freedom.
Despite regaining his liberty, Rasheed says his challenges are not over. He revealed that he has been unable to locate his mother, who reportedly relocated after facing threats following his arrest, and he fears for her well-being.
Looking ahead, Rasheed remains hopeful and determined to rebuild his life. He said he plans to return to tailoring and painting, skills he was learning before his arrest, and is ready to start afresh.
“I get two hands and legs, I ready to work,” he said.
