Amnesty International Nigeria has issued a scathing indictment against the Nigerian police, accusing them of the extrajudicial killing of 24 protesters during the #Endbadgovernance demonstrations held from August 1–10, 2024.
The rights group unveiled a report titled “Bloody August: Nigerian Government’s Violent Crackdown on #Endbadgovernance Protests” on Thursday in Kano.
According to Isa Sanusi, Amnesty International Nigeria’s Country Director, victims were shot with live ammunition at close range in six northern states: Borno, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Jigawa, and Niger.
The report stated that casualties include 20 young adults, two children, and an elderly person. Survivors described being shot in the limbs and suffocated by tear gas, with eyewitness accounts alleging deliberate targeting by security forces.
Sanusi demanded accountability, urging President Bola Tinubu to ensure transparent investigations and fair trials for those responsible.
He criticized the authorities for attempting to cover up the killings and denying police involvement, calling it a blatant disregard for human lives and human rights.
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The protests, sparked by economic hardship and corruption, were largely peaceful before police allegedly attacked with excessive force, violating international human rights standards.
The right group further added that the police’s actions contravene the United Nations’ guidelines on the use of force.
It urged Nigerian authorities to respect citizens’ rights to peaceful assembly and expression while demanding justice for victims and accountability for perpetrators.
The report also highlighted the arbitrary arrests of over 1,200 protesters, with 146, including minors, charged with treason. Protesters and their supporters faced torture, harassment, and indefinite detention.
“The cycle of impunity must end,” Sanusi declared, calling on the government to ensure justice for victims and uphold the rule of law.
The Nigerian Police Force continues to deny responsibility, dismissing the allegations as “fake news” despite mounting evidence, including eyewitness testimonies and medical reports.
