2024: CITAD condemns use of force against unarmed protesters

The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has strongly condemned the recent killing of peaceful protesters by the Nigerian Police Force during the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protests.

CITAD said it is deeply saddened by the loss of innocent lives and the use of force against citizens exercising their fundamental and democratic rights as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution as amended and other international conversations to which Nigeria is a signatory.

This was contained in a statement issued by Y. Z Ya’u, Executive Director, Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD), on Sunday.

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SolaceBase reports that the protests, which started on 1st of August 2024, occurred across various states, including Kano, Kaduna, Lagos, Rivers, Plateau, Niger etc., and began as peaceful demonstrations against economic hardship, anti-masses government policies and poor governance.

‘’Unfortunately, these peaceful gatherings have been met with violence and repression by security forces. Reports as of today, 4th August 2024, indicate that at least six protesters were shot dead in Niger, seven in Kano, four in Borno and two in Kaduna States with additional fatalities and injuries occurring in other regions,’’ the statement said.

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‘’CITAD as a CSO working to improve good governance and defend the human rights of the citizens has unequivocally condemned the actions of the Nigerian Police Force and its sister agencies and called for an immediate halt to the use of force against unarmed protesters. The right to peaceful assembly and expression is enshrined in both Nigerian and international law, and these rights must be respected and protected by all.’’

On this note, we call on the security agencies to stop the use of force against the peaceful protesters and the Nigerian government to take immediate actions to conduct an investigation on the incidents and hold those responsible accountable

In this critical moment, it is imperative for the government to understand that using force will only fuel the situation. Instead, the government should respond in concrete terms to the key demands of the citizens. However, we note with dismay how the president’s speech this morning failed to address this.