A recent report by global human rights organization Amnesty International exposes a troubling pattern of state-sanctioned violence in Nigeria. The report details that between May 2014 and August 2024, Nigerian security forces killed over 190 peaceful protesters during demonstrations across the country.
The findings highlight a decade of brutal crackdowns on dissent, characterized by excessive force, arbitrary arrests, and torture. Amnesty International documented multiple incidents where Nigerian security forces, including police, military, and the Department of State Services, responded to peaceful protests with lethal force.
One of the earliest incidents cited in the report dates back to May 28, 2014, when suspected pro-government protesters attacked members of the #BringBackOurGirls (BBOG) movement in Abuja, according to the report.
The BBOG activists, the report stated, were demanding the release of over 270 schoolgirls abducted by Boko Haram in Chibok on 14-15 April 2014.
The report said the attackers destroyed their belongings, including phones and cameras, while police officers stood by without intervening.
Instead of protecting the protesters, law enforcement used the disruption as an excuse to forcibly disperse them.
“Protests play an important part in the civil, political, economic, social, and cultural life of all societies.
“In Nigeria, the government treats protest as either an inconvenience to be controlled or a threat to be extinguished and has continuously clamped down on peaceful protesters,” Amnesty International stated.
The global human rights organisation stated, “On 28 May 2014, suspected pro-government protesters attacked #BringBackOurGirls (BBOG) peaceful protesters at the Unity Fountain in Abuja, breaking their seats and forcibly confiscating their phones and cameras, while a group of police officers deployed to maintain law and order looked on.
“The BBOG protesters were calling for the release of more than 270 girls abducted by Boko Haram from their school in Chibok on 14-15 April 2014. The police used the attack as an excuse to forcibly disperse the peaceful protests.”
Another major crackdown occurred on May 30, 2016, when at least 60 members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) were killed during a peaceful gathering to mark Biafra Remembrance Day in Anambra State.
Security forces opened fire on demonstrators, also injuring about 70 others, according to the report.
The report stated, “On 30 May 2016, during a peaceful event to mark Biafra Remembrance Day, security forces killed at least 60 people and injured about 70 members and supporters of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) at Nkpor and in Onitsha, Anambra State.”
In August 2017, protesters from the Our Mumu Don Do movement, led by entertainer Charly Boy, were attacked by police in Abuja while demanding transparency about then-President Muhammadu Buhari’s prolonged medical stay in London.
Security forces deployed over 30 attack dogs, water cannons, and tear gas. Charly Boy collapsed, and multiple demonstrators were injured.
“On 8 August 2017, the Our Mumu Don Do group protesting in Abuja against the former president Muhammadu Buhari’s prolonged medical vacation in London were attacked by the police using over 30 dogs, water cannons, and tear gas.
“Veteran entertainer, Charly Boy, who led the protest, slumped while several others were wounded during the attack on protesters,” according to the report.
A particularly notorious incident according to Amnesty International, occurred on October 27 and 29, 2018, when police and soldiers killed at least 45 supporters of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) in Abuja.
The group was demanding the release of their leader, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, who had been unlawfully detained since 2015.
The report noted that over 120 protesters suffered gunshot wounds during the assault.
“On 27 and 29 October 2018, using excessive force, soldiers and police killed at least 45 supporters of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) as the Shi’a Muslim group held a peaceful religious procession around Abuja, demanding the release of their leader, Sheik Ibrahim El Zakzaky, whose detention was described by a federal court in December 2016 as unlawful and unconstitutional.
“At least 122 IMN protesters sustained gunshot wounds during the clampdown,” Amnesty International stated in the report.
“On 23 December 2019, about 60 pro-government protesters attacked civil society protesters demanding the release of prisoners of conscience Omoyele Sowore and Tunde Bakare at the National Human Rights Commission in Abuja.
“The protesters were planning to deliver a list of demands to the Commission. The attackers beat up the leader of the group, Deji Adeyanju. Police officers on the ground did not immediately intervene when the attack began,” the report added.
The report further stated, “On 5 August 2020, the police and military personnel arrested #RevolutionNow protesters in Abuja.
“The protest was aimed at demanding good governance and justice from the Nigerian government.
“#RevolutionNow protest convener, Omoyele Sowore and Olawale Bakare faced unlawful detention and trumped-up charges of treasonable felony.”
In October 2020, during the nationwide #EndSARS protests, Nigerian security forces killed at least 56 protesters who were calling for an end to police brutality.
On October 20, 2020, soldiers and police opened fire on peaceful demonstrators at Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos, killing at least 12 people in what has been widely condemned as the Lekki Massacre.
“At least 56 people died across the country during the #EndSARS protest – seeking an end to years of police atrocities targeting youths.8 On 20 October 2020, the Nigerian army and police killed at least 12 peaceful protesters at Lekki and Alausa Lagos where thousands were protesting police brutality.
The cycle of state violence continued into 2021 and beyond. On July 3, 2021, during a protest by Yoruba Nation activists in Lagos, police fired live rounds at demonstrators, killing 25-year-old Jumoke.
A similar incident occurred on January 9, 2023, when security forces again used live bullets on Yoruba Nation protesters, leaving one person dead.
“On 3 July 2021, Yoruba Nation protesters converged at the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park in Ojota, Lagos to demand an independent state for the southwest region.
“The police fired teargas and gunshots to disperse the protesters. Jumoke, a 25-year-old protester was shot dead by the police during the clampdown.
“Also, on 9 January 2023, one person was shot dead as the police fired live bullets at peaceful Yoruba Nation protesters at the same venue.”
The report also stated, “On 4 July 2021, five human rights activists were arrested at Dunamis International Gospel Centre Abuja for wearing #BuhariMustGo t-shirts.
“They were subsequently detained for 30 days by the Department of State Services (DSS), despite a Federal High Court order for their release.
“On 15 December 2021, the DSS and the police dispersed and arrested #NorthIsBleeding protesters who were calling for an end to the escalation of insecurity in northern Nigeria.
“On 2 March 2022, a group of women protested at the National Assembly complex in Abuja against the rejection of several bills seeking gender equality in Nigeria.
“On 22 March 2022, the protesting women crossed the gates to the National Assembly and began their #OccupyNASS chants but were harassed and stopped by security agents from making their way to the chambers.
“The women suspended the protest after lawmakers promised to reconsider the gender bills.”
The most recent wave of protests, which took place from August 1-10, 2024, was driven by economic hardship, inflation, and the removal of fuel subsidies under President Bola Tinubu.
The protests, widely known by hashtags like #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria and #HungerProtest, were organized by various activist groups, including Take It Back Movement, Nigerians Against Hunger, and Youths Against Tyranny.
Despite government efforts to suppress the demonstrations through threats and legal maneuvers, thousands of Nigerians took to the streets to demand economic reforms, a reduction in the cost of governance, and a reversal of fuel subsidy cuts.
Amnesty International noted in its report that in response, the authorities deployed armed forces, tear gas, water cannons, and live ammunition to disperse the crowds.
By the end of the protests, at least 24 demonstrators had been killed, more than 1,200 people were arrested, and several activists, including minors, faced treason charges—a crime punishable by death.
Among those arrested was Khalid Aminu, who later testified that he was tortured for 60 days by DSS operatives.
Another activist, Michael Adamoye (also known as Lenin), was detained for two months for participating in the Abuja protests.
The organization stated, “The Nigerian authorities employed several tactics to stop the protests, including public statements and veiled threats by security agencies and government officials.
“Weeks ahead of the protests, authorities worked hard to undermine it. President Bola Tinubu, traditional and religious leaders tried directly and indirectly to dissuade people from participating in the protest.
“Authorities also obtained several ex parte court orders to restrict access to protest venues, especially in Lagos and Abuja.
“Protesters were, however, determined to proceed with the protest. Those who showed support for the protests on social media were attacked and many were arbitrarily arrested either by the police or the Department of State Services (DSS).
“Khalid Aminu was arrested by the DSS in Kaduna. He told Amnesty International that he was tortured for 60 days.
“He said that the DSS operatives started beating him and other protesters with sticks and iron cables.
“Michael Adamoye (widely known as Lenin) was detained for two months for being part of the protest in Abuja.
“During the ten days of the protests, people demanded the reversal of government economic reforms, including the reinstatement of fuel subsidies and the cutting down of the cost of governance.
“There was a heavy security presence during the protests. The government deployed the army, police, and the Department of Security Services to major protest sites.
“Security forces used tear gas, water cannons, and live ammunition to disperse the protest leading to violence and arrests.
“At least 24 protesters were killed, several persons were injured and over 1,200 protesters were arrested, including activists and journalists.
“Some protesters including minors have been charged with serious offences, including treason, and if found guilty could face the death penalty.”
Credit: Saharareporters
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