Amnesty International has condemned the killing of peaceful protesters by security forces in Niger, Borno, and Kaduna states.
According to the human rights organization, Nigerian police and army personnel shot 13 unarmed protesters on the first day of the ‘EndBadGovernanceinNigeria’ hunger protest on Thursday.
The Amnesty International report, released on Friday, details that the Nigeria Police killed six protesters in Suleja, Niger State, and three more in Kaduna State. Additionally, four protesters were shot dead by Nigerian Army personnel in Maiduguri, Borno State.
In a statement, Amnesty International expressed its outrage, highlighting that security forces used lethal tactics deliberately against gatherings of people protesting hunger and severe poverty.
They emphasized the need for an investigation and accountability for the security personnel involved in the killings.
The statement further criticized the use of force and firearms by security personnel in managing peaceful protests, calling it unjustified and unacceptable.
Amnesty International urged Nigerian authorities to hold those responsible for the deadly use of force accountable through fair trials, stressing that such violent crackdowns on peaceful protests must cease.