Amnesty to FG: Probe killing of protesters by security personnel

Amnesty International has condemned the death of protesters following the nationwide demonstrations against economic hardship.

In a statement on Friday, the human rights organisation said it received reports of 13 people killed by security agencies as of Thursday night — six in Suleja, Niger; four in Maiduguri, Borno; and three in Kaduna.

Amnesty International also said dozens were injured due to “violent crackdowns” by authorities.

“The Nigerian authorities must investigate these incidents impartially and effectively and ensure that security personnel suspected of responsibility for the alleged deadly use of force are held to account through fair trial,” the statement reads.

“Violent crackdown on peaceful protesters is unjustified and unacceptable.

“The Nigerian authorities’ fierce clamp down on peaceful protests yesterday and the harmful rhetoric by government officials ahead of the protests appear to be part of a wider plan to find justification for depriving people of the right to peaceful protest.

“Our findings, so far, show that security personnel at the locations where lives were lost deliberately used tactics designed to kill while dealing with gatherings of people protesting hunger and deep poverty.”

In Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city, police fired teargas at peaceful protesters.

Amnesty International asked the government to ensure that those arrested for taking part in the protests are released immediately and unconditionally.

The human rights watchdog urged authorities to pay more attention to taking concrete steps to address the impact of recent reforms on economic, social and cultural rights.