Amnesty International has revealed that at least 24 protesters lost their lives and over 1,200 were arrested during the recent nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests in Nigeria.
The protests, which spanned 10 days from August 1, saw Nigerians taking to the streets to decry widespread hardship and poor governance.
However, the demonstrations turned violent in some areas, with reports of police using teargas on protesters and journalists, alongside incidents of looting and vandalism of both public and private property, particularly in northern states.
In a report titled “Bloody August: Nigerian Government’s Violent Crackdown on #EndBadGovernance Protests” released on Thursday, Amnesty International accused the Nigerian authorities of committing acts of torture and ill-treatment against demonstrators.
The report highlighted what it termed the government’s disregard for freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly.
Amnesty’s findings revealed that two children and 20 young people were among those killed, with many protesters injured from live ammunition fired at close range by police.
The organisation also documented cases of protesters being arraigned on what it described as “bogus charges,” further accusing the government of attempting to suppress dissent.
During the presentation of the report in Kano, Isa Sanusi, Amnesty International’s country director, condemned the authorities’ handling of the protests, describing it as a display of lawlessness.
“The death toll could be higher than 24 due to the authorities’ apparent desperate efforts to cover up the atrocities,” Sanusi said.
“Peaceful protest over government policies is now a matter of life and death in Nigeria.”
Sanusi narrated harrowing accounts of survivors, including those who suffered gunshot wounds to their arms and legs and others suffocated by the indiscriminate use of teargas. He urged President Bola Tinubu to take decisive action to address the violations.
“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.
“Those responsible must be identified and brought to justice in fair trials,” Sanusi stated.
Amnesty International further called on the government to break the “recurrent cycle of impunity” and ensure justice for the victims and their families.
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