The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has issued a strong condemnation of the recent killings of peaceful protesters by the Nigerian Police Force during the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protests.
The organization in a statement signed by its executive Director YZ Yau expressed deep sadness over the loss of innocent lives and criticized the use of force against citizens exercising their fundamental and democratic rights, as protected by the 1999 Constitution and international agreements to which Nigeria is a signatory.
The protests, which began on 1st August 2024, have spread across various states, including Kano, Kaduna, Lagos, Rivers, Plateau, and Niger.
YZ Yau said These demonstrations, initially peaceful, were organized in response to economic hardship, anti-masses government policies, and poor governance. However, security forces have responded with violence and repression. As of 4th August 2024, reports indicate that at least six protesters were shot dead in Niger, seven in Kano, four in Borno, and two in Kaduna, with additional fatalities and injuries reported in other regions.
CITAD, a civil society organization dedicated to promoting good governance and defending human rights, has unequivocally condemned the actions of the Nigerian Police Force and other security agencies. They have called for an immediate end to the use of force against unarmed protesters, emphasizing that the right to peaceful assembly and expression is protected under both Nigerian and international law.
The organization urges security agencies to cease their violent actions and calls on the Nigerian government to conduct thorough investigations into these incidents and hold those responsible accountable. CITAD also highlights the importance of addressing the protesters’ demands, noting the president’s failure to address these issues in his recent speech.
In this critical moment, CITAD stresses that the government’s use of force will only escalate tensions and that a more constructive approach is needed to meet the citizens’ demands.
