Nigerian forces killed 24 persons during August protest

Nigerian policemen take position near protestors gathering during the End Bad Governance protest in Abuja on August 1, 2024. – Nigerian troops and police tightened security in Lagos and the capital Abuja on Thursday as they prepared for planned protests over the cost of living. Africa’s most populous country is struggling with soaring inflation and a sharply devalued naira currency after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu introduced reforms a year ago that aimed to revive the economy. (Photo by Kola Sulaimon / AFP)

Amnesty International has urged President Bola Tinubu to probe the detention and alleged killing of demonstrators during the #Endbadgovernance protest held in August across major Nigerian cities.

The protest sparked by rising living costs and widespread corruption, reportedly left many injured as police and other security agents allegedly attacked protesters.

Amnesty International in a report alleged that personnel of the Nigerian police fired live ammunition at unarmed protesters, aiming at vital areas like the head and chest.

“Nigerian police used excessive force against protesters during the nationwide #Endbadgovernance demonstrations,” Amnesty said.

The rights group said about 24 people were killed in Borno, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Jigawa and Niger during the protest between Thursday, August 1 and Saturday, August 10, 2024.

Those killed included 20 young people, an older person, and two children, Amnesty International said, adding that “two survivors suffered injuries after being shot by police in the arm and legs, others were suffocated by the indiscriminate use of tear gas.”

Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, Isa Sanusi, said the figures of fatalities could “be higher than 24 because of the authorities’ apparent desperate efforts to cover up the atrocities.”

“The excessive use of force by the police against protesters contravenes international human rights standards, including the UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials,” Amnesty said in the report.

The rights group alleged that Nigeria’s secret police Department of State Services (DSS) arrested persons who expressed support for the protests on social media.

“Peaceful protest over government policies is now a matter of life and death in Nigeria,” Sanusi said.

Despite “public evidence”, Sanusi said the Nigerian police have “engaged in flagrant denials of wrongdoing” which shows the “utter disregard for the sanctity of human lives.”

Sanusi, who called for the release of protesters in detention, insists that Nigerian authorities must end “this cycle of impunity” and give justice with remedies for victims and survivors.