Amnesty International reports 24 deaths and over 1,200 arrests during Nigeria's #EndBadGovernance protests. The protests saw police violence, torture allegations, and restricted freedoms. Amnesty urges President Tinubu to investigate rights violations, ensure justice for victims, and address impunity in handling peaceful demonstrations.
Amnesty International has revealed alarming findings from the #EndBadGovernance protests in Nigeria, which took place from August 1 to 10, 2024. According to their report titled Bloody August: Nigerian government’s violent crackdown on #EndBadGovernance protests, at least 24 protesters, including two children, were killed, and over 1,200 were arrested.
The protests, sparked by widespread hardship in the country, turned violent in some regions as police allegedly used live ammunition, tear gas, and other forms of excessive force against demonstrators. Amnesty International reported incidents of torture, ill-treatment, and arbitrary arrests of protesters, accusing authorities of suppressing freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
Speaking in Kano during the report's release, Amnesty’s country director, Isa Sanusi, highlighted the severity of the crackdown, describing it as a "high level of lawlessness." He revealed that some protesters suffered gunshot wounds, while others were harmed by tear gas. The report also criticized the government’s attempts to cover up alleged atrocities, suggesting the death toll could be higher.
Amnesty International called on President Bola Tinubu to ensure impartial investigations into these violations, prosecute offenders in fair trials, and provide remedies for victims and their families. The organization condemned the demonization of protests and demanded accountability to break the cycle of impunity.
The protests, which also saw reports of looting and vandalism in some northern states, have reignited debates about the cost of free expression and human rights in Nigeria.
