Amnesty International has condemned the recent killings of peaceful protesters by security personnel in Nigeria. According to the organization, six people were killed in Suleja, Niger State; four in Maiduguri; and three in Kaduna. Amnesty International has called on Nigerian authorities to investigate these incidents thoroughly and ensure that any security personnel found responsible for the use of deadly force are held accountable through a fair trial process.
The organization criticized the violent crackdown on peaceful protests, which it described as unjustified and unacceptable. Amnesty International’s preliminary findings suggest that security personnel at the protest sites employed lethal tactics, allegedly targeting gatherings of people protesting against hunger and deep poverty.
Amnesty International emphasized that, under international law, security forces are prohibited from using firearms against protesters unless there is an imminent threat of death or serious injury and no other means to avert such a threat. The organization stressed that the practice of using firearms as a tactical tool for managing protests by Nigerian security agencies must be stopped.
The call for accountability and adherence to international standards comes amid growing concerns over the handling of demonstrations in Nigeria. Amnesty International’s statement highlights the need for a comprehensive review of the use of force by security agencies to ensure the protection of fundamental human rights, including the right to peaceful assembly.
