Amnesty International Reports 24 Deaths During #EndBadGovernance Protests

Amnesty International Reports 24 Deaths During #EndBadGovernance Protests

In what has been described as a violent crackdown by police during the recent #EndBadGovernance protests, Amnesty International (AI) claims that at least 24 individuals were killed, while over 1,200 others, including minors, were detained and many subjected to torture.

This alarming account comes in response to the Nigeria Police’s adamant denials regarding accusations of extra-judicial killings.

During an international press conference held on Thursday in Kano, Isah Sanusi, the Country Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, laid out evidence pointing to severe human rights violations during the protests, which took place nationwide from August 1 to August 10.

“Nigerian police used excessive force against protesters during the nationwide #EndBadGovernance demonstrations,” Sanusi remarked. “These were not isolated incidents, but a pattern of conduct across numerous states including Borno, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Jigawa, and Niger, suggesting a systematic approach to suppress dissent. The fatal consequences were indisputable.”

The organization’s report, titled “Bloody August: Nigerian Government’s Violent Crackdown on #EndBadGovernance Protests,” presented a chilling overview of the brutal tactics employed by law enforcement. Among those killed were 20 young individuals, an older person, and two children. Sanusi asserted that in all confirmed cases, victims were shot directly by officers using live ammunition.

“Evidence shows that officers were firing at close range, targeting vital areas such as the head and torso. This none-too-subtle approach suggests they were not merely aiming to disperse crowds, but to inflict lethal harm,” Sanusi elaborated. “Moreover, the use of tear gas resulted in suffocation among many attendees.”

The Amnesty International director continued, condemning the police’s excessive measures. “People in Nigeria witnessed unbelievable lawlessness as security personnel fired live ammunition at protesters. The death toll could be higher than 24 due to the authorities’ desperate attempts to conceal the full extent of these atrocities.”

Sanusi also appealed to the Nigerian government to conduct thorough investigations into the violence and hold the officers responsible accountable. “It is shocking that the police have engaged in flagrant denials of wrongdoing despite overwhelming public evidence, showing a blatant disregard for human life,” he noted.

In the breakdown of fatalities, Sanusi detailed specific accounts from various states: 12 deaths in Kano, three in Jigawa, and others across Katsina, Kaduna, and Niger. “In Kaduna State, a minor was killed by a soldier, while police killed another person in the city,” he said.

Eyewitness accounts revealed a stark contrast in the nature of the protests. “Initially, the protests were peaceful,” one eyewitness recounted. “But everything changed when police started firing indiscriminately. They didn’t give us a chance to express our grievances.”

Furthermore, Amnesty International highlighted reports of arrested individuals being tortured while in custody, with numerous cases of survivors underscoring the brutal treatment meted out to them.

Khalid Aminu, an engineer detained in Kaduna, recounted his harrowing experience, stating, “They beat me with sticks and iron cables; the torture began right at the moment of my arrest. I’m still healing from those injuries.”

Despite overwhelming evidence presented, including videos, medical records, testimonials, and photographs, the Nigeria Police have dismissed the claims as “fake news” and attributed the violence to “unknown gunmen.”

“This alarming trend of denial from the Nigeria Police undermines public trust, perpetuates a culture of impunity, and exacerbates the cycle of violence,” Sanusi warned. “The government must acknowledge the constitutional rights of citizens to express dissent and to assemble peacefully.”

As the protests highlight the ongoing issues of corruption and economic hardship within Nigeria, the calls for accountability resonate louder than ever. “The brutal crackdown demonstrates a failure by Nigerian authorities to respect and guarantee fundamental human rights,” Sanusi concluded.

With unrest still simmering amid calls for justice, the pressure mounts on the government to address the grievances of its citizens and restore faith in its law enforcement agencies.