Nigerian authorities must hold accountable the security personnel suspected of using unlawful lethal force against peaceful hunger protesters, resulting in deaths and severe injuries in Bauchi, Kano, Kaduna, Maiduguri, Suleja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and other locations.
Amnesty International has gathered testimonies from victims, eyewitnesses, medical practitioners, journalists, and civil society organizations. The organization also analyzed videos and photographs of those killed and injured during the nationwide protests, which began on August 1, 2024.
In several instances, verified video evidence shows protesters being shot at close range without warning and at moments when they posed no threat to lives. These actions suggest that the shootings were intended to kill rather than to restore public order.
Nigerian security forces have consistently employed firearms to manage public gatherings with impunity. The use of live bullets in these situations is unlawful. People have a right to hold peaceful protests, and this right must be respected and protected.
