CLEEN Foundation has revealed that six people died in Niger State’s Tara local government area during the August 2024 End Bad Governance protests, contradicting the state Police claims that no lives were lost.
Recall that the then Commissioner of Police, CP Shawulu Ebenezer Danmaman had denied any loss of life, but confirmed instances of vandalism, and looting of properties at the secretariat of Tafa local government during a visit to the area.
The Program Manager at CLEEN, Mrs Chigozirim Okoro, however, countered Police claims faulting the CP’s conclusions.
She made the claims at a press briefing on CLEEN Foundation findings on the conduct of law enforcement personnel during the 2024 Nationwide protest in August 2024 in Minna, Niger State.
According to Mrs Okoro, 23 people died nationwide, mostly in the northern states of Niger, Kano, and Kaduna, during protests against bad governance.
She explained that the Foundation’s findings indicated heavy-handedness by law enforcement agencies, leading to casualties, unlawful detention and heightened tensions between security personnel and the public.
The Program Manager said the Foundation observed systemic failures in protest management, including excessive force, attacks on journalists, the presence of juveniles in protests, and ineffective engagement between law enforcement and community stakeholders.
” The number of persons that lost their lives would have been less than 23, if the law enforcement agencies had adhered to international human rights standards by ensuring protests are managed without violating civil liberties,” she noted.
The Foundation emphasized the need for comprehensive reform of protest policing in Nigeria, aligning with international human rights standards and best practices. Recommendations included providing modern policing equipment, restricting military involvement in civil protest policing, and strengthening oversight and accountability mechanisms.
She added that by adopting a rights-based, accountable, and professional approach, Nigeria can foster a safer environment for democratic expression.
