Amnesty International has alleged that Nigerian police forces killed at least 24 protesters and detained over 1,200 others during the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests held from August 1 to 10, 2024.
Isa Sanusi, Amnesty International’s Country Director, disclosed this at a news conference in Kano on Thursday, presenting findings from the report titled "Bloody August: Nigerian Government’s Violent Crackdown on #EndBadGovernance Protests."
The report highlights that the victims included 20 young people, an older person, and two children. According to Sanusi, police used live ammunition at close range, often targeting the head or torso, suggesting an intent to kill.
“Peaceful protest over government policies is now a matter of life and death in Nigeria,” Sanusi remarked, emphasizing the need for accountability.
Amnesty International called on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to launch an independent, impartial investigation into the allegations of human rights violations and ensure justice for the victims.
The organization documented evidence, including videos, photographs, and accounts from eyewitnesses, medical workers, and victims’ relatives in states such as Borno, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Jigawa, and Niger.
The protests, fueled by growing economic hardship and discontent over governance, were met with a violent crackdown, raising concerns over the suppression of free expression and assembly in Nigeria.
