#ArewaMeToo activist, Maryam Awaisu, freed – Amnesty International

Wed, Feb 20, 2019 | By publisher


Politics

ACTIVIST and writer, Maryam Awaisu, who was arrested on Tuesday has been released, Amnesty International said.

Awaisu had been arrested at her office in Kaduna State by “a convoy of officers from the Special Anti-Robbery Squad,” who took her to their Abuja office, for allegedly championing the cause of those, who were detailing their experience with sexual assault via the Twitter hashtag, #ArewaMeToo.

Amnesty International had announced her release late on Tuesday night via their verified Twitter handle.

The organisation tweeted, “Maryam Awaisu @Ice131Queen has been released. Though she is free now, her arrest and detention were aimed at intimidating women rights activists pursuing justice for victims of sexual violence.

“Brave women leading #ArewaMeToo movement, to bring to justice sexual violators have been receiving threats, bullying online & other forms of intimidation. The arrest of Maryam Awaisu @Ice131Queen by a Special Anti-Robbery Squad of @PoliceNG is part of wider intimidation.” – Punch

– Feb. 20, 2019 @ 13:55 GMT |

Tags: