ARTICLE 19 Senegal and West Africa strongly condemns authorities’ excessive use of force during anti-government protests in Nigeria that have led to the death of 13 people across the country, attacks on the media, and hundreds of arrests. We call on the government to protect media workers and allow them to carry out their work in safety. We also urge the government to protect the right to protest.
Media and human rights organisations reported six deaths in the city of Suleja in the center of the country, four in Maiduguri, and three in Kaduna in the northwest. Reports have also emerged of authorities using tear gas and bullets against journalists, including in Abuja on Saturday, 3 August.
On Sunday, 4 August, President Bola Tinubu called for an end to the demonstrations during a national broadcast, stating that security forces would continue to respond to them in accordance with international law. As of 5 August, 700 protesters have been arrested and no investigation has been conducted into the deaths and potential other human rights violations.
Responding to the unfolding crisis, Alfred Bulakali, Director of ARTICLE 19 West Africa, stated:
‘We are deeply shocked that citizens have lost their lives for simply exercising their constitutional right to freedom of expression while protesting against the precariousness of life and the governance of their country. Protesters should be protected rather than subjected to violations by security forces. We condemn the excessive use of force, including the use of live ammunition, by law enforcement during protests. Journalists have also been a target of attacks and threats in the escalating crisis. We urge the Nigerian government to conduct a thorough, transparent investigation into these deaths and violence, hold those responsible accountable and break the pattern of impunity. Immediate measures are necessary to cease with disproportionate use of force, ensure security of journalists, protect the freedom of the internet and flow of information. President Tinubu’s call for deadly protests to end must be followed by actions of good will: the government must ensure security officers alleged to have misused their powers against journalists and protesters are investigated, and, where found responsible, brought before the court’.
The protest began as a peaceful gathering early on Wednesday, 1 August 2024, with people voicing opposition against bad governance and the high cost of living and demanding better living conditions and accountability from President Tinubu’s administration – dubbed #EndBadGovernance protests on social media. The demonstrations progressively escalated into violent attacks in Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kaduna, Borno State and other regions, with security forces firing tear gas at and assaulting peaceful protesters, and even using live ammunition against them. In addition to the 13 deaths reported, protesters were injured and there was a wave of arrests, with up to 700 people being detained.
There were also isolated reports of some protesters throwing stones at security forces. Authorities imposed a 24-hour curfew in Yobe State, specifically in the areas of Potiskum, Gashua and Nguru, where a group of protesters had set fire to seven buses. The government’s pre-emptive attempts to thwart these protests through intimidation and violence have only intensified public outrage. Authorities have imposed a curfew in Kaduna, Borno, Katsina and Jigawa, as well as Yobe. President Tinubu has called for dialogue and end to demonstrations.
Journalists and activists targeted
Security forces have also targeted the media and activists, in some cases subjecting them to violence, in an effort to prevent them from doing their work to inform citizens about what is happening. Jide Oyekun, a well-known activist was one of those detained in Abuja, highlighting the increasing risks protesters, activists, and journalists in Nigeria face.
There have also been reports of internet throttling, characterised by reduced speeds and bandwidth across the country, hindering activists and protesters from effectively transmitting information online.
Security forces used bullets and teargas against the crowd and the journalists who were covering the protest. One of the victims was Yakubu Mohammed, a PREMIUM TIMES reporter, who was brutally attacked by police in Abuja as he reported. Before taking his phone, arresting him and detaining him in a police van, security officers struck Mohammed with the butts of their guns and batons, resulting in the journalist suffering a head injury. Mohammed was later released.
Abdulkareem Moojed was also targeted: security forces used tear gas and then bullets against him and the group of journalists he was with, despite the fact that they were wearing clothes that clearly identified them as being members of the press. Bullet holes could be seen on Moojed’s car, indicating how seriously at risk his life was, as well as the lives of his colleagues.
Nine staff members of Radio Ndarason International, including the editor-in-chief, the head of programmes, and the office director, were arrested at the outlet’s offices in Maiduguri; they were later released. However, it was not clear if this arrest was linked to the protests.
This wave of violent repression of protesters and media must not continue, and the crimes should not benefit from impunity. As the protest enters the fifth day, ARTICLE 19 Senegal and West Africa urges the Nigerian government to:
- Investigate authorities’ use of excessive force, as well as deaths and injuries sustained during the protests, in a transparent manner, and hold those responsible accountable.
- Order authorities to refrain from using force as protests continue and take necessary measure to ensure protection and security of protesters in line with guidelines set out by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights’ regarding freedom of peaceful assembly, and in line with international standards and norms.
- Respect and uphold media independence and freedom, and freedom of expression, including the public’s right to freedom of expression and to information.
- End impunity for crimes against journalists, guarantee the safety and security of journalists, and protect their right to freedom of expression
- Refrain from shutting down the internet, particularly in the context of protests, protect the right to access information, and restore full access to internet services to facilitate the free flow of information and communication.
International principles and guidelines call on security forces to use force only when strictly necessary and to the extent required for the performance of their duty, and where all other means of de-escalation and preventing further violence have been exhausted. In any case, the use of firearms should be regarded as potentially lethal in all circumstances; even firing in the air can result in death. In addition to these international standards, ARTICLE 19’s own principles on protest clearly outline that law enforcement officials must never use firearms to disperse a protest. Tear gas may only be used to disperse a crowd when there is more generalised violence, due to its indiscriminate effects and high potential for harm.
This deliberate action echoes the government’s tactics during the #EndSARS protests in 2020, once again infringing on digital and freedom of expression rights.
Concerning the escalating situation, ARTICLE 19 remains committed to monitoring the situation closely and will provide a detailed report as events continue to unfold. The organisation stands in solidarity with the Nigerian people in their pursuit of justice, accountability, and fundamental rights.
For more information, please contact:
Janet Gbam, Digital and Freedom of Expression Senior Officer, ARTICLE 19 Senegal/West Africa Email: janet.gbam@article19.org
Maateuw Mbaye, Protection and Civic Space Officer, ARTICLE 19 Senegal/West Africa Email: [email protected]
T: +221338690322