Human rights organisation Amnesty International has accused the Nigerian authorities of failing to deliver justice to victims and survivors of the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests held in August 2024, two years after security forces allegedly used lethal force against demonstrators.
In a statement released on Friday to mark the second anniversary of the protests, Amnesty International Nigeria said the authorities had neither held perpetrators accountable nor addressed allegations of killings, torture and arbitrary arrests carried out during the demonstrations.
According to the organisation, police continue to deny what it described as “strong allegations” of human rights violations despite evidence gathered during its investigations.
“Two years after police used lethal force and carried out mass arbitrary arrests of peaceful #EndBadGovernance protesters, the Nigerian authorities have failed to ensure justice for victims and survivors, while the police bizarrely continue to deny strong allegations of killings, torture and unlawful arrests of the protesters,” Amnesty International said.
The organisation said its investigation found that at least 24 people were killed by the Nigeria Police between August 1 and 10, 2024, during protests in Kano, Jigawa, Katsina, Borno, Niger and Kaduna states.
Amnesty International further alleged that several peaceful protesters were convicted following what it described as “sham trials” based on “bogus charges.”
The rights group also claimed that minors arrested during the protests were detained under harsh conditions and denied access to adequate food and medical care.
“Several peaceful protesters have been convicted in sham trials based on bogus charges. Minors were detained and denied food and medical care,” the organisation stated.
Condemning the government’s response to the demonstrations, Amnesty International said the use of deadly force against citizens demanding better governance reflected a disregard for fundamental human rights.
“Approaching people demanding good governance with deadly force shows Nigerian authorities’ utter disdain for human rights,” the statement added.
The organisation renewed its call for independent investigations into the alleged abuses, accountability for those responsible, and justice for victims and their families.
