Hunger protest: Police must stop firing live ammunition at protesters – Amnesty International

Right Group Amnesty International has warned the Nigeria Police and other security agencies to stop firing live ammunition at peaceful protesters.

Nigerians are protesting against bad governance and current economic hardship in the country occasioned by government policies.

Amnesty International also condemned the indiscriminate killings and arrests of peaceful protesters by the security agencies.

Thefrontrank reports that Police had on Saturday opened fire on peaceful protesters and journalists at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja, during #EndBadGovernaceInNigeria protest.

Amnesty International in a statement on its X handle on Saturday said: “Across Nigeria, people have taken to the streets in protest to call for better life and for their human rights to be respected, only to be met with unnecessary violence or excessive force, including in many cases live ammunition.

“Nigeria Police must STOP firing live ammunition at protesters.

“Amnesty International condemns the Nigeria Police @PoliceNG Sokoto state command for the arbitrary arrest of 81 youths who participated in the peaceful protest against hunger. #EndBadGovernace

“Our investigation shows that the protesters were arrested and then taken to Criminal Investigation Dept. (CID) where a mobile court hurriedly remanded them in prison. We urge the authorities to release them immediately and unconditionally.

“The Nigerian authorities must immediately release all those who have been arrested solely for exercising their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly since the beginning of the nationwide hunger protests.

“Amnesty International calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Umar Danjani — one of the protesters against hunger — who was hurriedly remanded in Birnin Kudi prison.

“Subjecting critical voices to intimidation and arbitrary arrests for speaking out is unlawful.”