Amnesty International, a global human rights advocacy organization, has reported that the Nigerian police used excessive force during the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests held between August 1 and 10, 2024.
The protests resulted in the deaths of at least 24 individuals across Borno, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Jigawa, and Niger states.
In a report titled “Bloody August: Nigerian Government’s Violent Crackdown on #EndBadGovernance Protests,” published on Thursday, Amnesty International detailed the violent suppression of peaceful demonstrations against widespread corruption and economic hardship in Nigeria.
The organization documented that the fatalities included 20 young people, an older adult, 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,” Amnesty International stated.
Isa Sanusi, the Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, stated, “Nigerians witnessed shocking acts of lawlessness, with security personnel using live ammunition against protesters.”
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“The death toll could be higher than 24 because of the authorities’ apparent desperate efforts to cover up the atrocities. Peaceful protest over government policies is now a matter of life and death in 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 and his government must conduct prompt, thorough, independent, impartial, transparent and effective investigations into the allegations of human rights violations during the #Endbadgovernance protests, and ensure that those suspected to be responsible are identified and brought to justice in fair trials. Nigerian authorities must ensure access to justice and effective remedies for victims and their families.”
Amnesty International Nigeria reported that in Kano State, 12 peaceful protesters were killed at Rijiyar Lemo and Kofar Nasarawa.
In Jigawa State, three protesters lost their lives in Hadejia, while one person was killed at Kofar Sauri in Katsina State.
In Kaduna State, a minor was fatally shot by a Nigerian soldier in Zaria, and another person was killed by police in Kaduna. In Maiduguri, three individuals were killed at A.A. Kime Filling Station at Bolori Junction, and at least three more were killed along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway in Niger State.
Amnesty International stated that it conducted field research between August 12 and 17, 2024, 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),” the organization said.
Amnesty International said that one Khalid Aminu was arrested by the DSS operatives in Kaduna during the protest.
Aminu was quoted as saying, “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.”
Additionally, Michael Adaramoye, widely known by his nickname Lenin, was held in detention for two months for participating in the protest in Abuja.
At the same time, despite substantial evidence—including eyewitness accounts, videos, medical records, testimonies from victims’ parents and survivors, as well as photographs—the Nigerian police have repeatedly denied any involvement in the killings. They have dismissed the allegations as “fake news” or attributed the incidents to “unknown gunmen.”
The Amnesty International Nigeria Director, Sanusi said, “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 families whose loved ones were killed.”
Sanusi added, “The brutal crackdown on the #Endbadgovernance protests is a clear manifestation of Nigerian authorities’ failure to respect and ensure the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
“From 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 disregard for human rights and the rule of law.”
International human rights standards emphasize that during the dispersal of assemblies deemed unlawful but non-violent, law enforcement officials must avoid using force whenever possible. If the use of force is unavoidable, it should be limited to the minimum necessary.
For violent assemblies, these standards specify that firearms may only be used if less harmful means are impractical, and even then, their use must be kept to the minimum required. Moreover, intentional lethal use of firearms is permitted solely as a last resort and only when it is strictly necessary to protect life.
Sanusi said, “The Nigerian authorities must end this cycle of impunity and ensure access to justice and effective remedies for victims and survivors. Deadly crackdowns on peaceful protests must end in compliance with Nigeria’s national and international legal obligations. Authorities must immediately release those detained simply for participating in the #Endbadgovernance protests.”
Between August 1-10, 2024, Nigerians, particularly youths, organized peaceful protests nationwide to voice their frustrations over the rising cost of living and allegations of widespread corruption.
Amnesty International reported that authorities not only took significant steps to prevent the protests but also employed harsh tactics to punish participants.
The Nigeria Police Force, however, denied accusations of excessive force and rejected calls for an investigation.
Despite this, Amnesty International revealed that more than 1,200 individuals were detained, and over 146 people, including minors, faced charges of treasonable felony.
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