Protest Day 1: 6 Killed In Niger, 4 In Borno, 3 In Kaduna – Amnesty International

Amnesty International has decried the killing of peaceful protesters by security agencies in Niger, Borno and Kaduna states.

According to the human rights body, Nigeria police and Nigeria Army personnel shot 13 unarmed peaceful protesters on the first day of hunger protest by citizens tagged ‘EndBadGovernanceinNigeria‘ on Thursday.

Amnesty International report on Friday showed that Nigeria Police personnel killed 6 protesters in Suleja, Niger State and 3 other peaceful protesters in Kaduna State; while personnel of Nigeria Army shot dead four protesters in Maiduguri, Borno State.

“Amnesty International condemns the killing of peaceful protesters by security personnel across the country: Suleja Niger state 6 people killed, Maiduguri 4 people killed and Kaduna 3 people killed.

“Our findings, so far, show that security personnel at the locations where lives were lost deliberately used tactics designed to kill while dealing with gatherings of people protesting hunger and deep poverty,” the statement read.

The human rights group called on the federal government to investigate and ensure the security personnel involved in the killing of peaceful protesters are made to face the law.

The statement regretted that Nigeria security agency personnel applied force and used firearms in the management of peaceful protests.

“The Nigerian authorities must investigate these incidents and ensure that security personnel suspected of responsibility for deadly use of force are held to account through fair trial. Violent crackdown on peaceful protesters is unjustified and unacceptable.

“Nigerian security agencies’ unlawful attitude of using firearms as tactical tool for the management of protests must end,” Amnesty International said.