Amnesty International has claimed that 13 protesters were allegedly killed by security operatives across Nigeria on the first day of the #Endbadgovernance protest. The human rights body condemned the killing, describing the incident “unjustified and unacceptable.” It therefore call for probe into the alleged killing of the peaceful protesters.
Amnesty International’s Country Director for Nigeria, Isa Sanusi on Friday in a statement, charged the Nigerian government to impartially investigate the ugly incidents and ensure that security forces suspected of alleged deadly use of force on peaceful protesters are held to account through fair trial. Sanusi listed the states where the killings took place. He said six persons were killed in Suleja, Niger state, with dozens severely wounded. In Maiduguri, Borno state, four people were killed, while three were killed in Kaduna State.
The humanitarian group stated that its findings indicated that security personnel at the scenes of the fatalities deliberately employed lethal tactics when handling protests related to hunger and severe poverty. The organization therefore, called on the government to address how recent reforms have affected economic, social, and cultural rights, including access to healthcare and education.
Sanusi called on the Nigerian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release all those arrested for participating in the protests. He urged authorities to end the rampant violations of the people’s rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression.
