Amnesty International has reported that at least 24 protesters lost their lives during the EndBadGovernance protests held from August 1 to August 10, 2024.
The revelation was made public on Thursday during a press conference in Kano, where the organization’s Country Director, Isa Sanusi, launched its report on the demonstrations.
Sanusi stated that the fatalities occurred in Kano, Borno, Kaduna, Katsina, Jigawa, and Niger States. Among the dead were 20 youths, an elderly individual, and two children. He accused the police of employing excessive force to quell the protests.
“In all cases, the victims were shot by the police, firing live ammunition at close range, often targeting the head or torso. This suggests officers were shooting to kill,” Sanusi alleged.
The report also detailed the injuries sustained by survivors. Two individuals were reportedly shot in the arms and legs, while others suffered suffocation from tear gas.
Eyewitness accounts from Kano, Dutse, Katsina, and Minna suggested the protests began peacefully on the morning of August 1.
However, tensions escalated when police allegedly attacked demonstrators with live ammunition and tear gas.
Amnesty International criticised the actions of law enforcement, citing violations of international human rights standards.
“The excessive use of force by the police against protesters contravenes international human rights principles, including the UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials,” Sanusi said.
The organisation further alleged that those who supported the protests on social media faced online harassment and arbitrary arrests by the police and the Department of State Services.
Despite substantial evidence, including eyewitness testimonies, videos, medical records, photographs, and statements from survivors and victims’ families, the police have denied involvement in the killings.
They dismissed the claims as “fake news” and attributed the deaths to “unknown gunmen.”
Amnesty International maintained that law enforcement must adhere to international standards when managing protests, particularly non-violent assemblies.
“Where dispersal of assemblies becomes necessary, law enforcement officials must avoid the use of force or limit it to the minimum extent required,” the report added.