24 protesters lost their lives, and over 1,200 were detained during the nationwide #EndBadGovernance demonstrations, according to a shocking report released by Amnesty International. The protests, held between August 1 and 10, turned violent after Nigerian police allegedly used live ammunition to suppress peaceful demonstrators across several states, including Borno, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Jigawa, and Niger.

Amnesty International’s Country Director, Isa Sanusi, disclosed these findings during a news conference in Kano State on Thursday. He revealed that the victims included 20 young people, two children, and one older individual. “The death toll could be higher than 24 because of the authorities’ apparent desperate efforts to cover up the atrocities,” Sanusi stated. He emphasized that peaceful protests have become increasingly dangerous in Nigeria, with government crackdowns escalating to lethal levels.

“Bloody August” Report Highlights Police Brutality
The detailed report, titled “Bloody August: Nigerian Government’s Violent Crackdown on #EndBadGovernance Protests,” documents the violent suppression of protests driven by mounting economic hardships and dissatisfaction with government policies. Amnesty International highlighted that the victims were frequently shot at close range, with officers often targeting the head or torso—actions that suggest an intentional “shoot-to-kill” approach.

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The report also exposed allegations of cover-ups by the authorities, further complicating efforts to determine the true death toll. Amnesty International urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to ensure justice for victims, calling for immediate and independent investigations into the human rights violations.

“President Bola Tinubu and his government must conduct prompt, thorough, impartial, and effective investigations into these allegations, ensuring those responsible are identified and brought to justice in fair trials,” Sanusi demanded.

Eyewitness Accounts and Evidence
Between August 12 and 17, 2024, Amnesty International conducted field research in Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa states, gathering evidence that included videos, photographs, and firsthand accounts from witnesses, medical professionals, and victims’ families. The findings painted a grim picture of unrestrained police violence during the protests, with many detainees reportedly held under inhumane conditions.

The report also underscored the urgent need for accountability, warning that unchecked police brutality could further erode trust between citizens and the government. “The Nigerian authorities must hold the police and security agencies to account for unleashing deadly force on people who posed no imminent threat,” Sanusi concluded.