Amnesty International has expressed concern over the lack of justice for victims and survivors of police actions during the 10-day EndBadgovernance protest, which occurred between August 1 and 10, 2024. On August 1st, 2025, Amnesty stated that police used lethal force and made mass arbitrary arrests during protests against economic hardship, while the Nigerian government
Amnesty International has expressed concern over the lack of justice for victims and survivors of police actions during the 10-day EndBadgovernance protest, which occurred between August 1 and 10, 2024.
On August 1st, 2025, Amnesty stated that police used lethal force and made mass arbitrary arrests during protests against economic hardship, while the Nigerian government has not ensured justice for victims.
Nigerians in various states participated in public demonstrations regarding the policies implemented by President Bola Tinubu’s administration, which included the removal of fuel subsidy and the floating of the Naira. These measures have been associated with economic challenges and have affected the ability of many Nigerians to afford essential goods such as food.
In response to concerns regarding the economic situation, Nigerian citizens, using the hashtag #EndBadGovernance, organised a protest scheduled from August 1st to August 10th. However, in certain northern regions, the demonstration escalated into violence and civil unrest following police interventions, which included arrests of several protesters, some of whom were minors.
Amnesty stated that, despite demands for justice from various groups, police continue to deny serious allegations of extrajudicial killings, torture, and unlawful arrests during the protest.
Amnesty International had reported that Nigerian police killed at least 24 people between 1–10 August 2024 in Kano, Jigawa, Katsina, Borno, Niger, and Kaduna. It also noted that several peaceful protesters have been convicted on false charges, with ongoing trials in Abuja, Kano, Jigawa, Katsina, and Kaduna.
“A year on, despite the gravity of these human rights violations, not a single member of the security forces has been prosecuted, as accountability remains elusive for the 24 peaceful protesters killed in Kano, Jigawa, Katsina, Borno, Niger and Kaduna states. Those behind these atrocities must be held to account,” said Isa Sanusi, Director of Amnesty International Nigeria.
“In all cases, the victims were shot by the police, firing live ammunition at close range, often at the head or torso, suggesting that officers were shooting to kill. Two survivors suffered injuries after being shot by police in the arms and legs, and others were suffocated by the indiscriminate use of tear gas. While in detention, some of the protesters were tortured and punished with starvation, which led to the collapse of minors facing trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja on 1 November 2024.
“The Nigerian authorities are yet to take appropriate and effective measures to respect, protect, promote and fulfil the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, including by ending the killing, intimidation and harassment of protesters, arbitrary arrests and detention, and mass surveillance, especially in the context of protests”.
Amnesty International further noted that rather than taking steps towards justice for the victims, the Nigerian government has pressed charges on the arrested protesters, including the parade of the minors at an open court, before the federal government eventually granted them a pardon.
While the minors were granted pardon, the international body noted that the government has continued to press charges against some of the protesters despite overwhelming evidence that they did not break any law.
Amnesty further gave the total account of the arrested protesters and their states during the 2024 protest, “ in Maiduguri, Borno state, #EndBadGovernance protesters —Mohammed Ali, Mohammed Gajimi (alias Bakura) ‘17’, Muhammed Mustapha (alias Gudusu) ’14’, Muhammed Mustapha (alias Abbas) ’15’, Muhammed Kyaria (alias Mome), Muhammed Bukar (alias Awana), and Ibrahim Muhammed (alias Babayo) have been convicted and sentenced ranging from community services and caning for the children to five years imprisonment for the adults. This followed a sham trial on bogus and frivolous charges of “forming a group named ‘Zanga Zanga’ Group (or Protest Group) on WhatsApp … to take up arms … against the Government” and “agreeing to take up arms…against the Government.”
“In Abuja Federal Capital Territory, #EndBadGovernance protesters—Michael Tobiloba Adaramoye (aka Lenin), Adeyemi Abiodun Abayomi (aka Yomi), Suleman Yakubu, Comrade Opaluwa Eleojo (aka Bob-Simon), Angel Love Innocent (aka Loveth), Buhari Lawal, Mosi J Sodiq, Bashir Bello (aka Murtala), Nurudeen Khamis, Abdulsalam Zubairu, and Daniel Akande continue to face a sham trial in a Federal High Court, Abuja.
“The charges include “levy[ing] war against the state to intimidate or overawe the president and governors to change policies,” “using WhatsApp group chats,” “inciting to mutiny,” “chanting ‘Tinubu must go’, calling on the military to take over government from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” and “intent to destabilize Nigeria…by inciting public disturbance while carrying placards with the inscription ‘end bad government.”
“What happened in some parts of Nigeria from 1-10 August 2024 is a clear demonstration of the Nigerian government’s utter disregard for human rights. Failing to hold the police to account for the horrific attacks on # EndBadGovernance protesters will only encourage Nigeria’s security forces to unlawfully continue using firearms as a tactical tool for the management of demonstrations,” said Isa Sanusi
The violent crackdown on #Endbadgovernance protests by President Bola Tinubu’s government remains a human rights baggage that must not be swept under the carpet”, the statement reads.
