RFK Human Rights condemns the attacks by the Nigerian Police and other security forces against the #EndbadGovernanceinNigeria protestors across the country resulting in over 20 deaths, countless injuries, and over 1,000 arrests. We urge the government to desist from interfering with the right of Nigerians to protest and immediately investigate the human rights violations of the security forces. 

The #EndbadGovernanceInNigeria protest is in response to the government’s failed economic and fiscal policies, resulting in food and gas price inflation, devaluation of the Naira, among other issues. While the government has demanded patience from Nigerians, demonstrators have denounced President Tinubu’s delay in addressing these issues and the ostentatious government’s spending including the recent purchase of a new aircraft and yacht. Protestors have made at least 19 demands, including the reinstatement of the petrol subsidy, reversal of the electricity tariff hike, free education, and government measures to increase security for citizens. The ongoing protest, which was scheduled to be held for 10 days beginning on August 1, mirrors the 2020 #ENDSARS protests in Nigeria.

Ahead of the protests, authorities attempted to dissuade Nigerians from protesting, claiming that the protest would be infiltrated and turn violent. Additionally, the Nigerian Police, Army, and State Security Services condemned the protests, creating a hostile atmosphere which led to the postponement of demonstrations in some parts of the country. In Lagos and Abuja, the government procured court orders restricting the protests to certain locations within the cities. Three days before the protest, pro-government rallies sprung up across the country without opposition from authorities. In sharp contrast, security services mobilized in efforts to subdue #EndbadGovernanceInNigeria protests on August 1. Police shot tear gas canisters at protestors and used live ammunition to disperse demonstrations in Kano, Abuja, and Maiduguri. Security agents harassed journalists, some of whom suffered injuries and loss of equipment.  

Suppressing peaceful protests is a violation of international human rights law. Nigeria is a party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, both of which provide for the right to peacefully and freely assemble. On the domestic level, Section 40 of the Nigerian Constitution guarantees the right to peaceful assembly. 

“The Nigerian government has a legal responsibility to promote and respect the right to freedom of peaceful assembly,” said Ikechukwu Uzoma, Africa Staff Attorney at RFK Human Rights. “By demonizing protests and failing to provide adequate security for the protestors, the government failed in its responsibility and holds the blame for the injuries and fatalities,” he added.

RFK Human Rights stands in solidarity with the Nigerian people and strongly urges the government to take all necessary measures to respect and protect every person’s right to assemble and share their opinions about \ issues of governance and public interest.