ABUJA: Amnesty International reported that at least 13 people died during protests in Nigeria on Thursday, alleging that security forces killed peaceful demonstrators. The deaths occurred as people across Nigeria took to the streets to protest against economic hardship.
Conflicting reports have emerged about the number of fatalities. According to Amnesty International’s statement on X, six people were killed in Suleja near the capital Abuja, four in Maiduguri in the northeast, and three in Kaduna in the northwest.
Amnesty International accused security personnel of using lethal force against protesters demanding relief from hunger and poverty. “Our findings suggest that security forces deliberately employed tactics designed to kill in response to peaceful demonstrations,” the organization stated.
Police in Maiduguri reported four deaths due to explosions but did not provide further details. On Thursday, the national police chief denied allegations of attacks on peaceful protesters.
Inspector General Kayode Egbetokun said he had “placed all units on red alert” to handle any threats to public safety and order.
On Friday in Abuja, security forces fired tear gas at small groups of protesters who had returned for a second day of rallies, according to an AFP reporter at the scene.
