Key Points
- Amnesty International reports 24 deaths from police violence during protests.
- Survivors recall severe torture and mistreatment by security forces.
- Calls for justice grow as police deny involvement in killings.
Amnesty International has accused the Nigerian police of killing 24 protesters during the nationwide #EndBadGovernance demonstrations held between August 1 and 10, 2024.
The global human rights organization’s report, titled “Bloody August: Nigerian Government’s Violent Crackdown on #EndBadGovernance Protests,” reveals disturbing evidence of state-sanctioned violence against protesters calling for an end to government corruption and worsening economic conditions.
The protests, which erupted across the country, were largely peaceful. However, they quickly turned violent after the Nigerian police responded with excessive force.
According to Amnesty International, protesters were shot at close range, many in the head or chest, indicating that the officers aimed to kill rather than disband the protests.
Police accused of shooting to kill
Amnesty International’s Country Director, Isa Sanusi, presented the findings of the report during a press briefing in Kano on Thursday. Sanusi stated that the 24 victims—mostly young people—were killed in six northern states: Borno, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Jigawa, and Niger.
He confirmed that the police used live ammunition to suppress the protests, with many of the victims shot in areas of the body likely to result in death, such as the head and torso.
“Killing protesters in such a manner is a blatant violation of human rights,” Sanusi said. “We have evidence of these killings, and we are calling on the Nigerian authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice.”
The states with the highest casualties were Kano, where 12 people were killed, followed by Borno, Niger, and Jigawa, where three people died in each state. In Katsina and Kaduna, the death toll was lower, with one fatality in each state.
The violence was not limited to the protests themselves; Amnesty International also reported that survivors were injured by gunfire, and many were subjected to tear gas and other forms of harassment by the police.
“We are deeply concerned by the growing pattern of violence directed at those protesting peacefully,” Sanusi added. “We demand an immediate investigation and the prosecution of those responsible for the deaths and injuries.”
Crackdown on peaceful protests
The protests were sparked by widespread frustration over the government’s handling of Nigeria’s worsening economic crisis. Demonstrators, including students, workers, and civil society groups, took to the streets across the country, demanding an end to corruption, poor governance, and the rising cost of living.
However, what began as a peaceful series of protests soon descended into violence after police forces intervened. Eyewitnesses told Amnesty International that the protests in states like Kano, Katsina, and Minna were calm at the start but were quickly disrupted by law enforcement’s use of live ammunition and tear gas.
“The protests started peacefully,” said one eyewitness in Kano. “But then, the police started shooting into the crowd. They shot people in the head, in the chest. It was clear they were trying to kill.”
In total, more than 1,200 people were detained across the country during the demonstrations. Many of those arrested were later charged with treasonable felony. Amnesty International also reported that minors were among those detained, with some facing harsh charges despite being involved in what started as a nonviolent protest.
Evidence of police violence
As reported by Vanguard, Amnesty International conducted field research between August 12 and 17, 2024, visiting Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa states to gather evidence of the alleged killings and injuries. The organization compiled testimonies from witnesses, photographs, videos, and medical records to corroborate the claims.
“We spoke to the families of victims, doctors who treated the injured, and survivors of the protests,” Sanusi said. “The overwhelming evidence from these sources points to an unlawful and excessive use of force by the Nigerian police.”
According to the report, many of those killed were young adults, though two children were also among the dead. The police, however, have consistently denied any wrongdoing, even in the face of mounting evidence.
“The Nigerian police continue to deny their involvement in the killings, calling reports of the deaths ‘fake news,’” Sanusi said. “This denial is deeply troubling and highlights the broader issue of impunity within the Nigerian security forces.”
Torture and abuse of detained protesters
In addition to the deaths, Amnesty International documented widespread abuse and torture of protesters who were detained by the police or the Department of State Services (DSS). One of the victims, Khalid Aminu, an engineer arrested in Kaduna, described the brutal treatment he endured while in DSS custody.
“I was tortured for over 60 days,” Aminu said. “The DSS operatives beat me with sticks and iron cables. They poured water on me. I am still suffering from the injuries.”
Michael Adaramoye, a protester known as Lenin, was also arrested in Abuja and held for two months. He, too, described the abuse he endured in detention.
“The police treated us like animals. We were beaten and left in cells for weeks,” Adaramoye said. “It was inhumane.”
Despite these testimonies and the documented abuse, both the Nigerian police and DSS have refused to acknowledge the brutality against protesters. Amnesty International has condemned this as part of a broader effort to suppress dissent and intimidate the public.
Call for justice
Amnesty International’s report emphasizes that the excessive use of force by the police violates international human rights standards, including the United Nations’ Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials.
According to these principles, law enforcement officers should only use force when absolutely necessary and should restrict the use of firearms to situations where less dangerous means are not possible.
“The Nigerian authorities must take immediate action to hold those responsible for the violence accountable,” Sanusi said. “This includes conducting thorough and impartial investigations, prosecuting those found guilty, and ensuring the victims and their families receive justice.”
Sanusi also called on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to ensure that future protests are allowed to proceed peacefully without fear of violent repression. He stressed that access to justice for the victims must be a top priority for the government.
“This is a matter of life and death,” he said. “The Nigerian people must be able to exercise their right to protest without fear of being killed by those who are supposed to protect them.”
The Nigerian police have continued to deny any involvement in the deaths, and the government has not yet made any public statements regarding the allegations of police brutality.
However, human rights groups, including Amnesty International, are determined to push for accountability and justice for the victims of the #EndBadGovernance protests.
As the international community continues to monitor the situation, many are hopeful that the ongoing pressure will compel the Nigerian government to hold the police accountable for their actions.
