The CLEEN Foundation has called on the Federal Government to listen to Nigerians’ demands for good governance, stressing the need to respect citizens’ right to protest. This was stated during a Civil Society Organization (CSO)-Media briefing in Kaduna, where the group reviewed its report on the #EndBadGovernance and hunger protests that swept across Nigeria in 2024.

The foundation’s Program Director, Salaudeen Hashim, presented the report titled “Law Enforcement Response to Mass Protests and Demonstrations.”

He stressed that the #EndBadGovernance protests had left an indelible mark on Nigeria’s political landscape and set the stage for a new era of civic engagement.

“The protest has set the stage for a new era of political engagement, one in which the voices of the people must be heard and respected,” Hashim said.

Hashim urged the Federal Government to safeguard Nigerians’ right to peaceful demonstrations, as enshrined in the Constitution.

“Participating in a peaceful demonstration or protest is a constitutional right afforded to all citizens. Sections 35-40 of the Constitution establish these rights, and as such, law enforcement must protect them while maintaining public safety and officer safety,” he stated.

However, Hashim criticised the Public Order Act, arguing that its provisions on assemblies, meetings, and processions could be used to suppress dissent and abuse power.

“The Public Order Act in Nigeria is often viewed as a restriction on the freedom of assembly and expression, potentially leading to the suppression of dissent and the abuse of power by authorities,” he noted.

He further pointed out that certain provisions of the Act, particularly those granting state governors and police authorities final decision-making power, could undermine judicial review and leave citizens without legal recourse.

“Some provisions of the Act, particularly those related to the finality of decisions made by state governors and police authorities, can undermine the principle of judicial review, leaving citizens with no recourse against arbitrary actions,” Hashim added.

Hashim advocated for better engagement between law enforcement and protest leaders, emphasizing dialogue over forceful suppression.

“Law enforcement should engage with demonstration leaders to understand the intent of the demonstration and to discuss how they can work together to achieve the demonstrators’ desired outcomes while preserving order and preventing conflict, rather than hunting for arrests,” he stated.

He also called for transparent communication between security agencies and the public before, during, and after any mass gathering to avoid misunderstandings and violent escalations.

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Speaking on how future protests should be handled, he recommended that law enforcement agencies internalize Rules of Engagement (RoE), which should include Knowledge of applicable legal standards; deployment of proper use of force, weapons, and tactics; and effective information-gathering techniques.

Hashim condemned the excessive use of force by security agents in past protests, recalling how authorities deployed tear gas and live ammunition against demonstrators, leading to injuries and fatalities.

“Law enforcement personnel used varying degrees of force, from tear gas to live ammunition, with instances of excessive force leading to injuries and death,” he recounted.

He highlighted that during the #EndBadGovernance protests, at least 23 protesters were killed, with most casualties recorded in northern states like Niger, Kano, and Kaduna.

The CLEEN Foundation recommended that security agencies adopt a proportional response to mass protests, ensuring that their actions match the situation at hand.

“Law enforcement should be careful to ensure their response to mass demonstrations is proportional to the actions and mood of the crowd,” Hashim advised.

He also emphasized the need for strategic communication and a tiered response plan, stating: “Police should incorporate a tiered response plan that starts at their lowest level of crowd response and allows for prompt escalation only when necessary.”

Additionally, Hashim stressed that any police action should only target individuals engaged in violence, property destruction, or serious crimes, rather than peaceful protesters.

“When police action is needed, it should be directed toward only those individuals displaying harmful behaviors, such as violence, property destruction, or other serious crimes,” he said.

The CLEEN Foundation’s report serves as a call for the Nigerian government and law enforcement agencies to adopt a more democratic and human rights-based approach in handling protests, ensuring that citizens’ rights to peaceful assembly and expression are upheld.