Amnesty International has accused Nigerian police of using excessive force during nationwide protests in August, which were sparked by a severe cost-of-living crisis.
The human rights group claims that at least 24 people were killed by police during the demonstrations, which were some of the largest in Nigeria since the 2020 #EndSARS protests.
In a 34-page report released on Thursday, Amnesty documented evidence gathered from videos, photographs, death certificates, and eyewitness accounts.
The report specifically cites killings in several states, including Kano, Katsina, Jigawa, Kaduna, Niger, and Borno.
The Nigerian police initially denied killing any protesters, attributing the deaths of seven people to various causes, including an explosion blamed on suspected Boko Haram militants and a car accident.
However, Amnesty’s findings suggest a broader pattern of deadly force against demonstrators.
Despite the findings, the Nigerian government, which had urged citizens to avoid participating in the protests, has not publicly addressed the deaths.
The Nigeria Police Force has yet to comment on Amnesty’s report.
“In almost all cases the victims were shot by the police – firing live ammunition at close range, often at the head or torso, suggesting that they were shooting to kill,” it added.
Amnesty said authorities should transparently and effectively investigate all allegations of attacks on protesters and bring perpetrators to justice.
