Amnesty International Nigeria has condemned the ongoing suppression of peaceful protests under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The human rights organization has called for an immediate cessation of actions targeting protesters, insisting that demonstrators are not enemies of the state but vital contributors to democratic discourse.
In a statement released today, Amnesty Nigeria’s Country Director, Osai Ojigho, expressed deep concern over the increasing use of force against citizens exercising their constitutional right to peaceful assembly. She emphasized that these acts of suppression directly contradict Nigeria’s international human rights obligations and its commitment to upholding the rule of law.
“Protesters should never be treated as enemies of the state,” said Ojigho. “The right to protest is enshrined in Nigeria’s constitution and in international human rights law. Instead of stifling dissent, the government should listen to the grievances of its citizens. It is unacceptable that peaceful protesters are met with excessive force, arbitrary arrests, and intimidation by security forces.”
The director pointed out several recent incidents where security personnel used heavy-handed tactics to disperse crowds during protests, most notably those surrounding economic policies, fuel price hikes, and growing insecurity. Amnesty Nigeria has documented numerous cases where protesters have been unlawfully detained or subjected to violence, despite their demonstration being peaceful in nature.
“We are deeply troubled by the pattern of criminalizing legitimate protests, and we urge the government to respect the rights of all Nigerians to freely express themselves without fear of retribution,” Ojigho added. “Peaceful protests are an essential part of a functioning democracy, and the government must ensure that citizens can voice their concerns without facing oppression or violence.”
Amnesty International Nigeria also called on the Tinubu government to immediately halt the use of the military and other security forces against peaceful demonstrators. The organization further stressed the need for government officials to publicly reaffirm their commitment to human rights and democratic principles.