Amnesty International has urged the Nigerian government to stop the violent crackdown on peaceful protesters participating in the #EndBadGovernance protests in the country.
Reports show that the Nigerian Police Force has attacked, manhandled, and arrested several protesters since demonstrations began on August 1.
The international organisation reported that over 50 protesters were arrested outside Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja during a peaceful protest on Saturday, August 3, 2024.
“Nigeria Police must STOP firing live ammunition at protesters.
“Across Nigeria, people have taken to the streets to demand better lives and respect for their human rights, only to face unnecessary violence and excessive force, including live ammunition in many cases.
Amnesty International condemned the use of live ammunition and excessive force against protesters, calling it unacceptable and demanding accountability.
“The use of deadly force against protesters in the FCT is unacceptable. Those responsible must be held accountable. People have the right to peacefully demand accountability through protests. This right must be respected.
“The Nigerian authorities must immediately end the violent crackdown on peaceful protesters at Moshood Abiola Stadium Abuja. The over 50 peaceful protesters arbitrarily arrested across the FCT must be released immediately and unconditionally.”
The organisation stressed that people have the right to peaceful protests and called for the immediate release of all arrested protesters, who were simply exercising their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
Amnesty also criticised the hurried remand of protesters to prison by mobile courts and called for their unconditional release.
“The Nigerian authorities must immediately release all those arrested solely for exercising their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly since the beginning of the nationwide hunger protests.
“Our investigation shows that protesters were arrested and taken to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), where a mobile court quickly remanded them in prison. We urge the authorities to release them immediately and unconditionally.
“Amnesty International condemns the Nigeria Police Sokoto state command for arbitrarily arresting 81 youth who participated in the peaceful protest against hunger.”