A new report by Amnesty International accuses Nigerian police of using excessive force during August’s protests against the soaring cost of living, resulting in at least 24 deaths. The protests, branded as #10DaysOfRage, were the largest nationwide demonstrations since the EndSARS movement in 2020.
According to the 34-page report, Amnesty International gathered evidence from eyewitness accounts, videos, photographs, and death certificates to substantiate claims of police misconduct in states like Kano, Katsina, Jigawa, Kaduna, Niger, and Borno.
“In almost all cases, the victims were shot by police using live ammunition at close range, often targeting the head or torso, suggesting an intent to kill,” the report stated.
Efforts to obtain a response from the Nigeria Police Force regarding the allegations were unsuccessful. However, police had previously denied responsibility for the killings, attributing seven fatalities to other causes. In an August statement, police claimed that four deaths were caused by an explosive planted by suspected Boko Haram militants, two were accidental due to a vehicle collision during a march, and one involved a vigilante shooting during a looting attempt.
Amnesty International has called on Nigerian authorities to conduct transparent and effective investigations into the reported deaths and ensure that those responsible are held accountable. “Authorities must bring perpetrators of these attacks to justice,” the group urged.
The protests erupted in response to economic reforms by President Bola Tinubu, including the removal of petrol and electricity subsidies and the devaluation of the naira, which have drastically increased living costs. Despite government warnings against participation in the demonstrations, public discontent boiled over into what became a significant expression of frustration with the country’s economic challenges.
Amid international criticism, Nigeria recently released 30 minors detained during the protests. However, the government has yet to issue a statement addressing the deaths reported by Amnesty.
