‘Officers Were Shooting To Kill Hunger Protesters’ – Amnesty Int’l
Amnesty International has alleged that no fewer than 24 protesters were killed and over 1,200 others detained during the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protest held between August 1 and 10.
The organisation’s Country Director, Isa Sanusi, disclosed this during a news conference in Kano on Thursday.
Sanusi who Presented a report titled “Bloody August: Nigerian Government’s Violent Crackdown on #EndBadGovernance Protest,” highlighted the violent suppression of peaceful demonstrations across several northern states, including Borno, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Jigawa, and Niger.
He alleged that in all cases, victims were shot by police officers using live ammunition at close range, noting that they often target the head or torso.
“The #EndBadGovernance demonstrations between August 1 and 10, killed at least 24 people in the states of Borno, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Jigawa and Niger.
“In all cases, the victims were shot by the police, firing live ammunition at close range often at the head or torso, suggesting that officers were shooting to kill,” he said.
The report also accused Nigerian authorities of attempting to conceal the scale of the violence, which according to Sanusi indicates that the death toll might be higher.
Sanusi emphasised the need for accountability, stating that the use of deadly force against peaceful protesters signals a dangerous erosion of democratic freedoms.
He further said, “The death toll could be higher than 24 because of the authorities’ apparent desperate efforts to cover up the atrocities. Peaceful protest over government policies is now a matter of life and death in Nigeria.”
Amnesty International described the protests as a response to worsening economic hardship and misgovernance. It condemned the excessive use of force by the police and other security agencies and called it a violation of citizens’ fundamental rights.
Sanusi urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to launch thorough, independent, and transparent investigations into the allegations of human rights abuses.
The organisation called on the Nigerian government to uphold its obligations under international human rights laws and ensure the protection of citizens’ rights to peaceful assembly and expression.
“President Bola Tinubu and his government must conduct prompt, thorough, independent, impartial, transparent and effective investigations into the allegations of human rights violations during the #EndBadGovernance protests, and ensure that those suspected to be responsible are identified and brought to justice in fair trials,” Sanusi said.
The organisation revealed that it conducted field research between August 12 and 17 in Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa states, where they gathered evidence including videos, photographs, and eyewitness testimonies, Medical workers, victims’ families, and friends who also contributed accounts of the violent events.
“Between August 12 and 17, 2024, Amnesty International carried out field research in Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa states. Evidence gathered include videos and photographs, as well as accounts from eyewitnesses, medical workers, and victims’ relatives, friends, and acquaintances on the ground,” he added.
‘Officers Were Shooting To Kill Hunger Protesters’ – Amnesty Int’l is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
