Amnesty International Reports 24 Deaths, Over 1,200 Arrests During #EndBadGovernance Protests
Amnesty International has revealed a grim account of events surrounding the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests in Nigeria, reporting at least 24 deaths and the detention of over 1,200 individuals by police forces. The protests, which took place from August 1 to August 10, were organized to challenge worsening economic conditions and perceived governmental failures. The violent response to these peaceful demonstrations has raised serious concerns about the state of human rights and the rule of law in the country.
Isa Sanusi, Country Director for Amnesty International, presented the findings at a press conference in Kano State. He explained that the victims, who included 20 young adults, two children, and one older individual, were killed in states such as Borno, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Jigawa, and Niger. Sanusi stated that many of the deaths resulted from police firing live ammunition at close range, targeting critical areas such as the head and torso. The evidence suggests deliberate intent to kill rather than disperse crowds. Amnesty further warned that the true death toll could be higher, as authorities appeared to be actively concealing the scale of the violence.
The organization’s report, titled "Bloody August: Nigerian Government's Violent Crackdown On #EndBadGovernance Protests," paints a harrowing picture of the government's response to peaceful dissent. It highlights a pattern of excessive force, mass arrests, and violations of fundamental rights during the demonstrations. Protesters, many of whom were unarmed and posed no immediate threat, faced a militarized police response aimed at silencing their calls for accountability and reform.
Amnesty International has called on President Bola Tinubu and his administration to address these grave human rights abuses. The organization urged the government to launch thorough, independent, and transparent investigations into the killings and arrests, ensuring that those responsible are held accountable in fair trials. It emphasized that suppressing peaceful protests with lethal force undermines democratic values and further alienates citizens from their government.
To support its claims, Amnesty International conducted field research between August 12 and 17, 2024, focusing on states such as Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa. The investigation gathered compelling evidence, including videos, photographs, and testimonies from eyewitnesses, healthcare workers, and families of victims. These findings corroborate the allegations of police brutality and the disproportionate use of force against demonstrators.
The report also underscores the growing risks faced by Nigerians attempting to express dissatisfaction with government policies. Peaceful assembly, a constitutionally protected right, has increasingly become a dangerous act, with citizens facing the threat of violence or death for merely voicing their concerns. Amnesty International warned that such actions erode trust in institutions and perpetuate a cycle of repression and resistance.
The #EndBadGovernance protests, initially aimed at drawing attention to economic hardship and governance failures, have now become a symbol of the urgent need for reform in Nigeria’s approach to human rights and law enforcement. Amnesty International’s findings shed light on the harsh realities faced by protesters and serve as a call to action for both the Nigerian government and the international community to ensure justice and accountability for the victims of this brutal crackdown.
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