CSOs: Amnesty report on killing of #EndBadGovernance protesters one-sided

The Coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) has faulted a report by Amnesty International on the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protest in August.

In November 2024, Amnesty International published a report titled: ‘Bloody August: Nigerian government’s violent crackdown on #EndBadGovernance protests’.

In the report, the organisation said at least 24 protesters were killed.

The global human rights organisation said 1,200 protesters were arrested during the marches.

In December 2024, NPF said the inspector-general of police had constituted a special investigation panel to investigate the “claims” made by Amnesty.

The police had said the panel found the report to be false and requested the organisation to retract same and issue an apology.

Speaking during a press conference in Lagos, on Tuesday, the CSOs said the Amnesty report failed to acknowledge “key facts” that would provide a clearer understanding of the situation.

“We believe in the power of peaceful protests as a cornerstone of democracy, a right that should never be compromised. Indeed, it is a powerful tool for holding those in power accountable, particularly when governance falls short of the people’s expectations and needs,” the CSOs said.

“That being said, we have reviewed the report by Amnesty International Nigeria with great concern and disappointment. While we acknowledge that Amnesty International is a respected global human rights organization, we find their report to be ill-conceived, biased, and an inaccurate reflection of the events that characterized the protests in northern Nigeria in August 2024. We are particularly alarmed by the deliberate omissions and misrepresentations in the report that paint a one-sided, distorted picture of the protests.

“The Amnesty report fails to mention the violent attacks on security personnel, including the brutal murder of a police officer and the injury of several others. These facts are not inconsequential, as they point to the escalation of violence during the protests, which could not have been ignored in any accurate account of the events.

“How does Amnesty International fail to acknowledge the violent elements among the protesters? How is it that the organization chose to ignore the reality on the ground, where criminal elements infiltrated the protests, causing chaos, terror, and harm? These elements were not protesting governance; they were criminal actors engaging in robbery, arson, and violence. The report fails to account for this critical aspect of the protest, which is essential to understanding the security agencies’ response.

“In many instances, we observed the deliberate targeting of police stations, military personnel, and government buildings, leading to heightened security measures in order to safeguard public order. Is it fair to blame the police for defending themselves when attacked with weapons, stones, and other violent tools? Is it responsible to blame the government for taking necessary steps to prevent further loss of life and property destruction?

“Furthermore, Amnesty International’s report appears to be based largely on unverified claims from anonymous sources, with little to no verification or credibility behind these allegations. This raises serious questions about the integrity of the data used in the report. How can a reputable organization such as Amnesty International rely on unverified social media posts, blogs, and sensationalist news articles as the primary sources for such a serious report? Where are the verifiable facts that should have been included?”

The CSOs said Amnesty’s failure to engage key stakeholders — such as the Nigerian police, local authorities, and other relevant parties — further undermines the credibility of the report.

“As activists and civil society organizations, we will not remain silent in the face of political opportunism, misinformation, and distortion of the truth. We will continue to work towards a Nigeria where the right to peaceful protest is protected, where human rights are upheld, and where democracy is not undermined by the interests of those who seek to destabilize our nation for political gain,” the groups stated.

Meanwhile, the police have threatened to sue Amnesty International if the report on the #EndBadGovernance protest is not retracted within seven days.