Amnesty report on #EndBadGovernance protests one-sided – CSOs

The Coalition of Civil Society Organizations yesterday rejected Amnesty International Nigeria’s Report on the August 2024 #EndBadGovernance protests, saying the report was one-sided. The foremost human rights organisation had in a report titled, “Bloody August: Nigeria Government’s Violent Crackdown on #EndBadGovernance Protests” claimed 24 people were killed by security forces during the protests in six […]

The Coalition of Civil Society Organizations yesterday rejected Amnesty International Nigeria’s Report on the August 2024 #EndBadGovernance protests, saying the report was one-sided.

The foremost human rights organisation had in a report titled, “Bloody August: Nigeria Government’s Violent Crackdown on #EndBadGovernance Protests” claimed 24 people were killed by security forces during the protests in six northern states.

The coalition at a press conference in Lagos addressed by its spokesperson, Gbenga Soloki, stated that the report was an imbalance.

He said, “While we do not condone the use of excessive force by security personnel, we must highlight that the report fails to acknowledge key facts that would provide a clearer understanding of the situation.

“The violence that erupted during the August protests was not one-sided. Yes, there were tragic incidents where innocent lives were lost, but the report completely disregards the widespread violence, looting, and destruction that took place during these protests in several northern states, including Abuja, Kaduna, Kano, and Gombe.

“The Amnesty report fails to mention the violent attacks on security personnel, including the brutal murder of a police officer and the injury of several others. These facts are not inconsequential, as they point to the escalation of violence during the protests, which could not have been ignored in any accurate account of the events.”

Soloki added that the Amnesty International report omitted the truth surrounding the violence that marked the protests.

“In several northern states, protesters did not merely engage in peaceful demonstrations. In fact, many of these protests devolved into violent riots that saw large-scale looting, destruction of public property, and assaults on security personnel. Markets, businesses, and private properties were ransacked in broad daylight by those claiming to protest the government,” it added.

He stated that while the coalition believes in peaceful protests and holding the government accountable for its actions, “we cannot stand by and allow misleading reports that fail to paint an accurate picture of events to go unchallenged.”

“The August 2024 protests, though marred by violence, were ultimately an expression of the frustrations of the Nigerian people, and while we cannot condone the violence that occurred, we cannot ignore the fact that criminal elements hijacked the protests to sow chaos.

“The Amnesty International report is inaccurate, misleading, and does not reflect the true events that transpired. It is a disservice to the Nigerian people, and to the cause of justice, democracy, and accountability that we hold dear.

“As activists and civil society organizations, we will not remain silent in the face of political opportunism, misinformation, and distortion of the truth. We will continue to work towards a Nigeria where the right to peaceful protest is protected, where human rights are upheld, and where democracy is not undermined by the interests of those who seek to destabilize our nation for political gain.”