Amnesty International Nigeria reported that over 50 protesters were arrested in Abuja on the third day of demonstrations against economic hardship.
The protests, initially scheduled for August 1 and August 10, 2024, were aimed at highlighting the struggles faced by Nigerians.
The demonstrators had sought to use Eagle Square for their gatherings but were denied access.
A court later confined the protests to Moshood Abiola National Stadium, where the first two days of the demonstrations proceeded without incident.
However, on the third day, tensions escalated as police fired teargas at the protesters. The situation intensified when masked operatives from the Department of State Services (DSS) arrived in seven vehicles.
The DSS operatives, along with police, used force against protesters and journalists, with reports of shootings and arrests.
Amnesty International condemned the violent crackdown and called for the immediate release of the arrested protesters. The organization stressed that the right to peaceful protest must be upheld and those responsible for the use of force must be held accountable.
In a tweet on Friday, Amnesty International stated, “The Nigerian authorities must immediately end the ongoing violent crackdown on peaceful protesters who convened at Moshood Abiola Stadium Abuja. The over 50 peaceful protesters arbitrarily arrested across the FCT must be released immediately and unconditionally.
“The shocking and unconscionable use of deadly force on protesters against hunger in the FCT is unacceptable. Those suspected of responsibility must be held to account. People have the right to peacefully demand accountability through protests. This right must be respected,” they added.
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