The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) has condemned the recent killings of peaceful protesters by the Nigerian Police Force during the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protests.
The Executive Director of CITAD, Comrade Y. Z Ya’u, made the statement available to newsmen in Kano today.
In the statement, CITAD expressed deep sadness over 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 conventions to which Nigeria is a signatory.
“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 read.
CITAD, a civil society organization working to improve good governance and defend the human rights of citizens, unequivocally condemned the actions of the Nigerian Police Force and its sister agencies, calling for an immediate halt to the use of force against unarmed protesters. The organization emphasized that 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 investigations on the incidents and hold those responsible accountable,” the statement continued.
CITAD further urged the government to understand that using force would only escalate the situation and called for a response that addresses the key demands of the citizens. The organization expressed dismay at the president’s speech this morning, noting that it failed to address the critical issues at hand.
As the protests continue, CITAD’s call for accountability and protection of human rights remains a crucial voice in the ongoing struggle for better governance in Nigeria.
