Death of 16-year-old Prostitute Sparks Concerns over Use of Lethal Force in Nigerian Protests
A 16-year-old protester, Ismail Mohammed, was shot dead by a Nigerian soldier in the Samaru community of Kaduna State on Tuesday, sparking widespread concerns over the use of lethal force by security operatives against protesters demanding an end to bad governance in Nigeria.
According to reports, the incident occurred when troops of the Nigerian Army received a distress call to disperse a group of hoodlums burning tyres and attacking security personnel in the community. The mob had attempted to attack the troops, prompting the soldier to fire a warning shot to scare them away. Unfortunately, the bullet hit Mohammed, leading to his death.
As the news of the incident spread, the National Chairman of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Falalu Bello, issued a statement warning against the use of lethal force against peaceful civilians protesting against hunger and poverty in the country. Bello demanded a full investigation into the incident and accountability for the loss of lives and limbs caused by the use of live ammunition by security agencies.
"We in the PRP are against the call for the military to take over government in Nigeria," Bello said, calling on the Nigerian youth, who make up 67% of registered voters in the country, to vote out the current government in the next two years and eight months and bring in a new administration that will have empathy for its citizens and bring good governance to the nation.
The incident has raised concerns about the handling of protests in Nigeria, with critics accusing security operatives of using excessive force to quell peaceful gatherings. The Inspector General of Police had earlier denied reports of security agencies using live ammunition during protests, but the latest incident has fueled calls for greater transparency and accountability.
The Peoples Redemption Party, a major opposition party in Nigeria, is demanding legislation that defines the rules of engagement between protesters and security agencies, with a view to prohibiting the use of live ammunition in future protests.
