Amnesty International Nigeria has condemned the violent attack on peaceful protesters in Ibadan, Oyo State, describing the incident as a threat to the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the human rights organisation said a group of individuals allegedly sponsored to disrupt the demonstration attacked protesters participating in the nationwide #BringBackOurPupilsAndTeachers campaign on Tuesday, June 2.
According to Amnesty International, the protesters, who were marching from the Mokola area toward Bodija in Ibadan, were ambushed and attacked at Sango. The organisation said several protesters sustained injuries, while some vehicles were vandalised and personal belongings stolen during the incident.
The protest was organised by the Take It Back Movement to draw attention to the continued abduction of schoolchildren across Nigeria and what organisers described as the authorities’ failure to adequately protect schools and children from armed attacks.
Amnesty International expressed concern over what it called a growing pattern of state authorities allegedly sponsoring thugs to disrupt peaceful demonstrations, warning that such actions undermine citizens’ constitutional rights.
“The authorities must investigate this incident and ensure that the attackers are held to account in fair trials,” the organisation said.
The rights group further stressed that Nigerians must be able to exercise their right to peaceful protest without fear of intimidation or violence.
“Any act capable of undermining freedom of assembly is illegal and portrays unacceptable intolerance of peaceful dissent,” Amnesty International stated. #Securitynewsalert.com
