Nigerian police kill 24 protesters in violent crackdown

In August 2024, Nigeria experienced widespread protests against rising living costs, prompting a harsh response from state authorities. Human rights group Amnesty International conducted an investigation into the incident, revealing that police killed at least 24 protesters and detained over 1,200 others. The casualties spanned several states, including Borno, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Jigawa, and Niger. Eyewitness testimonies and interviews with medical professionals formed the basis of Amnesty's findings, demonstrating the severity of police brutality during these demonstrations. Amnesty International's report outlined the excessive force used by police, who targeted demonstrators with live ammunition and tear gas. Among the dead were two children, and there were numerous accounts of individuals being suffocated by tear gas or shot at close range. Isa Sanusi, the Nigerian director for Amnesty, suggested that the actual death toll could be much higher, indicating that many families have reported their loved ones missing, potentially victims of secret detentions or fatalities. Despite the alarming findings, the Nigerian authorities have struggled to acknowledge the right to peaceful protest. There remains a pervasive atmosphere of impunity surrounding cases of police violence in the country. The national police spokesperson refrained from commenting on the findings, highlighting the ongoing challenges in holding law enforcement accountable for abuses. The report also criticized the government's attempts to stifle political dissent and warned that a lack of accountability might incite further unrest. Amnesty International's findings were released not long after a deadly incident at a tollgate in Lagos, where security forces allegedly opened fire on demonstrators during prior protests. The ongoing brutality against protesters calls into question the Nigerian government's commitment to human rights and the rule of law, further dampening hopes for a more transparent and accountable police force in the future.