Nigeria: Police used excessive force to violently quash #Endbadgovernance protests

Nigerian police used excessive force against protesters during the nationwide #Endbadgovernance demonstrations between 1-10 August, killing at least 24 people in the states of: Borno, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Jigawa and Niger, Amnesty International said in a briefing published today.

“Bloody August: Nigerian Government’s Violent Crackdown on #Endbadgovernance Protests” documents the violent crackdown on peaceful protests against rampant corruption and economic hardship. Those killed included 20 young people, an older person and two children.

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. Two survivors suffered injuries after being shot by police in the arm and legs, others were suffocated by the indiscriminate use of tear gas.

“People in Nigeria witnessed unbelievable lawlessness as security personnel fired live ammunition at peaceful protests. The death toll could be higher than 24 because of the authorities’ desperate efforts to cover up the atrocities. Peaceful protest over government policies is now a matter of life and death in Nigeria,” said Isa Sanusi, Director of Amnesty International Nigeria.

“The Nigerian authorities must hold the police and other security agencies to account for unleashing deadly force on people who did not constitute an imminent threat to lives. It is shocking that police have engaged in flagrant denials of wrongdoing despite public evidence to the contrary, and this speaks to their utter disregard for the sanctity of human lives. President Bola Tinubu must constitute an independent and impartial investigation of human rights violations during the #Endbadgovernance protests.”

In Kano, 12 people were killed atRijiyar Lemo and Kofar Nasarawa. In Jigawa state, 3 people were killed at Hadejia, while 1 person was killed at Kofar Sauri, Katsina state. In Kaduna state, a minor was killed by a solider in Zaria while police killed one person in Kaduna. In Maiduguri, 3 people were killed at A.A. Kime Filling Station at Bolori Junction. In Niger state, at least, 3 people were killed along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway.

Between 12-17 August 2024, Amnesty International carried out field research in Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa states. Evidence gathered includes videos and photographs, as well as accounts from eyewitnesses, medical workers and victims’ relatives, friends, and acquaintances on the ground.

Eyewitnesses told Amnesty International in Kano, Dutse, Katsina, and Minna that the protests were largely peaceful when they began in the morning of 1 August, but the mood abruptly changed when police attacked the protesters by firing live ammunition and tear gas. 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.

Those who expressed support for the protests on social media were attacked and many were arbitrarily arrested either by the police or the Department of State Services (DSS).

Khalid Aminu was arrested by the DSS in Kaduna during the protest. He told Amesty International that: “I was tortured for over 60 days and the torture started right from the point of arrest. The DSS operatives beat me and other protesters with sticks and iron cables. They poured water on me. I am yet to fully recover from these atrocities.” Michael Adaramoye (widely known as Lenin) was detained for two months for being part of the protest in Abuja.

Despite overwhelming evidence, including eyewitness accounts, videos, medical records, testimonies of the parents of victims and survivors, and photographs, the police have consistently denied involvement in the killings, dismissing them as “fake news” or attributing them to “unknown gunmen.”

“The Nigeria Police Force’s denial of the killings of protesters is a disturbing trend that undermines trust, perpetuates impunity, and exacerbates the cycle of violence. It also adds to the agony of the parents whose loved ones were killed,” said Isa Sanusi.

“The brutal crackdown on the #Endbadgovernance is a clear manifestation of Nigerian authorities’ failure to respect the right to freedom of assembly and expression. From unlawfully restricting protesters to certain places in Abuja, Lagos and Port Harcourt to attacks on journalists, the Nigerian police once again shows that nothing has changed about its attitude towards human rights.”

International law is clear that security forces policing demonstrations must not use firearms against protesters unless they pose an imminent threat to life or serious injury, and only if there is no lesser way to avert such threat. Law enforcement agents must never use firearms to disperse a demonstration, even if it turns violent. Firearms must never be used as a tactical tool for the management of demonstrations. The only rare exception is to save another life.

The Nigerian authorities must investigate thoroughly, independently, impartially, transparently and effectively all allegations of human rights violations and abuses linked to the #EndBadGovernance protests. The authorities must identify those suspected to be responsible and bring them to justice in fair trials. 

“The Nigerian authorities must end this cycle of impunity and ensure justice for victims and survivors. Deadly crackdowns on peaceful protests must end in compliance with Nigeria’s national and international legal obligations,” said Isa Sanusi

Background

Between 1-10 August people took to the streets across in Nigeria in peaceful protests against the rising cost of living and endemic corruption. Apart from concerted efforts to prevent the protests, desperate measures were taken by the government to punish the protesters. The Nigeria Police Force denied allegations of excessive use of force and dismissed calls for an investigation. Over 1,200 people were detained and over 146 people – including minors were arraigned and charged with treasonable felony.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Amnesty International.