NIGERIA: 24 Killed, Over 1,200 Detained During EndBadGovernance Protest – Amnesty International

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria

The Nigerian Police have been accused of killing at least 24 protesters and detaining over 1,200 others during the recent #EndBadGovernance demonstrations, according to a report released by Amnesty International.

The organisation’s Country Director, Isa Sanusi, revealed these findings during a press conference in Kano State on Thursday, where he unveiled a detailed account of the brutal crackdown on peaceful protests held from 1st to 10th August 2024.

Sanusi disclosed that the fatalities included 20 young people, an older adult, and two children. He alleged that police officers deliberately targeted protesters, firing live ammunition at close range, often aiming at the head or torso.

“The #EndBadGovernance demonstrations killed at least 24 people in Borno, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Jigawa, and Niger states.

“In all cases, the victims were shot by police officers who appeared to be shooting to kill. The death toll could be higher because of apparent efforts by the authorities to cover up the atrocities,” Sanusi stated

The report, titled “Bloody August: Nigerian Government’s Violent Crackdown on #EndBadGovernance Protest,” paints a grim picture of state violence against citizens protesting economic hardship and government policies.

Amnesty International’s findings include video evidence, eyewitness accounts, and testimonies from medical workers, victims’ relatives, and other sources gathered during field research conducted in Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa states from 12th to 17th August 2024.

Sanusi condemned the actions of the Nigerian authorities, describing the violent response as a blatant violation of human rights. “Peaceful protest over government policies is now a matter of life and death in Nigeria,” he said.

The report further urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to take immediate action. “The Nigerian authorities must hold the police and other security agencies accountable for unleashing deadly force on people who did not constitute an imminent threat to lives,” Sanusi demanded.

He called for an independent, impartial, and transparent investigation into the alleged violations, adding that those responsible should be brought to justice through fair trials.

The findings have sparked outrage among human rights groups and citizens, with many questioning the government’s commitment to upholding fundamental freedoms.

As the nation grapples with the fallout of the protests, the call for accountability grows louder, casting a long shadow over Nigeria’s democratic image.