The Youth Rights Campaign (YRC) has demanded the immediate suspension of Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun to allow for an unbiased and independent inquiry into the fatal police violence that occurred during the #EndBadGovernance protests.
This was made known in a statement released on Tuesday, where YRC stated the urgent need for a transparent probe, rejecting the in-house investigation ordered by the IGP, which it claimed is an attempt to cover up police misconduct.
The demand comes in response to the release of Amnesty International’s report, “Bloody August: Nigerian Government’s Violent Crackdown on #EndBadGovernance Protests.” The report details instances of extrajudicial killings and violent suppression by security forces during the August protests.
Featuring firsthand accounts from multiple states, the report contradicts the government’s narrative that denies any wrongdoing. The documented evidence highlights a disturbing pattern of human rights violations during the #EndBadGovernance protests.
The group condemned the violent measures employed by the police during the #EndBadGovernance protests, which included the use of live ammunition, torture, and arbitrary detentions, leading to the deaths of at least 24 protesters. The organization criticized the government’s failure to address the actions of state-sponsored thugs who targeted peaceful protesters, notably in Ojota, Lagos, while law enforcement focused on suppressing those exercising their right to peaceful assembly.
Furthermore, the YRC denounced the harassment and intimidation of journalists covering the protests, drawing attention to incidents such as the assault on Jide Oyekunle, who was attacked while reporting on the demonstrations in Abuja.
The statement read, “We find it particularly troubling that the Inspector General of Police continues to carry on as if nothing is amiss despite that men under his command arrested children and tortured, starved and kept them in inhumane conditions, actions that are unacceptable under international law.”
“We have no doubt that it is the failure of President Tinubu to sanction the IGP following the release of the minors that gave the Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum, the temerity to make the very shocking and highly disparaging statement last week wherein he suggested that the minors should have remained in detention contrary to the democratic norms.
“We hereby join Amnesty International and all change seeking Nigerians in calling for immediate action to address these injustices.”
The Youth Rights Campaign (YRC) has called for the immediate prosecution of all police officers and security personnel, including members of the DSS and the army, responsible for the deaths of innocent civilians during the #EndBadGovernance protests, “The constitution of an impartial and independent panel democratically-constituted by elected representatives of civil society organisations (CSOs), the Nigerian Union of Journalist (NUJ), the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), trade unions and other pro-democracy organisations and youth groups to ensure transparency and accountability.
“The dismissal of all charges against all peaceful protesters and the immediate release of all those detained nationwide. We also demand a halt to the continued assaults on democratic rights.
“Compensation for all victims of the violence and their families to help alleviate the impact of the tragic losses,” the group added.
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