Amnesty International flags lack of justice, says no “effective measures to respect, protect, promote and fulfil the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly”
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
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“A year on, despite the gravity of these human rights violations, not a single member of the security forces has been prosecuted, as accountability remains elusive for the 24 peaceful protesters killed in Kano, Jigawa, Katsina, Borno, Niger and Kaduna states.
“Those behind these atrocities must be held to account.
“What happened in some parts of Nigeria from August 1-10, 2024 is a clear demonstration of Nigerian government’s utter disregard for human rights.
“Failing to hold the police to account for the horrific attacks on #Endbadgovernance protesters will only encourage Nigeria’s security forces to unlawfully continue using firearms as tactical tool for the management of demonstrations” – AI.
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Amnesty International (AI) has called out Abuja for failing to ensure justice for victims and survivors of police brutality against EndBadGovernance protesters a year after the event, with the police even continuing to deny strong allegations of extrajudicial execution, torture, and unlawful arrests of the agitators.
Amnesty disclosed that its investigation shows that police murdered no fewer than 24 people in Kano, Jigawa, Katsina, Borno, Niger, and Kaduna during the protests between 1 and 10 August 2024.
It said several peaceful protesters have been convicted in sham trials based on bogus charges, and trials are still ongoing in Abuja, Kano, Jigawa, Katsina, and Kaduna.
“A year on, despite the gravity of these human rights violations, not a single member of the security forces has been prosecuted, as accountability remains elusive for the 24 peaceful protesters killed in Kano, Jigawa, Katsina, Borno, Niger and Kaduna states.
“Those behind these atrocities must be held to account,” Amnesty International Nigeria Director, Isa Sanusi, said in a statement marking the one-year anniversary of the protests.
In all cases, he added, the victims were shot by the police, firing live ammunition at close range, often at the head or torso, suggesting that officers were shooting to kill.
“Two survivors suffered injuries after being shot by police in the arm and legs, others were suffocated by the indiscriminate use of tear gas.
“While in detention some of the protesters were tortured and punished with starvation that led to the collapse of minors facing trial before Federal High Court Abuja on November 1, 2024.
“The Nigerian authorities are yet to take appropriate and effective measures to respect, protect, promote and fulfil the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, including by ending the killing, intimidation and harassment of protesters, arbitrary arrests and detention, and mass surveillance especially in the context of protests.”
Amnesty also noted that the Nigerian authorities pressed on with all charges brought against #EndBadGovernance protesters despite overwhelming evidence that the protesters did not break any law.
“In Maiduguri, Borno State, #EndBadGovernance protesters, Mohammed Ali, Mohammed Gajimi (alias Bakura) ‘17’, Muhammed Mustapha (alias Gudusu) ’14’, Muhammed Mustapha (alias Abbas) ’15’, Muhammed Kyaria (alias Mome), Muhammed Bukar (alias Awana), and Ibrahim Muhammed (alias Babayo) have been convicted and sentenced ranging from community services and caning for the children to five years imprisonment for the adults.
“This followed a sham trial on bogus and frivolous charges of “form[ing] a group named ‘Zanga Zanga’ Group (or Protest Group} on WhatsApp to take up arms against the Government” and “agreeing to take up arms against the Government.
“In Abuja Federal Capital Territory, #EndBadGovernance protesters, Michael Adaramoye (aka Lenin), Adeyemi Abayomi (aka Yomi), Suleman Yakubu, Opaluwa Eleojo (aka Bob-Simon), Angel Innocent (aka Loveth), Buhari Lawal, Mosi Sodiq, Bashir Bello (aka Murtala), Nurudeen Khamis, Abdulsalam Zubairu, and Daniel Akande continue to face sham trial in a Federal High Court, Abuja.
“The charges include ‘levy[ing] war against the state in order to intimidate or overawe the president and governors to change policies,’ ‘using WhatsApp group chats,’ ‘inciting to mutiny,’ chanting ‘Tinubu must go’, calling on the military ‘to take over government from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” and ‘intent to destabilize Nigeria by inciting public disturbance while carrying placards with the inscription “end bad government”.
“What happened in some parts of Nigeria from August 1-10, 2024 is a clear demonstration of Nigerian government’s utter disregard for human rights.
“Failing to hold the police to account for the horrific attacks on #Endbadgovernance protesters will only encourage Nigeria’s security forces to unlawfully continue using firearms as tactical tool for the management of demonstrations.”
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