Amnesty International, a renowned human rights organization, has condemned the government’s repressive approach to peaceful protests, calling for an end to the crackdown. The organization’s director, Isa Sanusi, emphasized that the government should listen to critics rather than silencing them.
On October 1, Nigerian youths gathered across the country to protest economic hardship, hunger, and the high cost of living. The #FearlessInOctober protest was a continuation of the #EndBadGovernance protests held in August. However, reports emerged that security forces used tear gas and arrested protesters, particularly in Abuja. Heavily armed personnel barricaded protest spaces in several cities, highlighting the government’s determination to suppress dissent.
According to Sanusi, “The Nigerian authorities must end their repressive approach to peaceful protests and listen to critics, as the country faces its worst economic crisis in three decades.” The arrest of protest organizers in Kano and Plateau, with five still held in an unknown location in Abuja without access to lawyers or family, further underscores the government’s disregard for human rights.
The government’s failure to address the real grievances driving the protests has exacerbated the situation. Millions of Nigerians cannot afford food or healthcare, while alleged corruption and mismanagement thrive. Sanusi noted, “All government promises to address these issues have remained unfulfilled.”
Amnesty International has demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all arrested protesters, including those detained since August. The organization has also called for the dropping of treason charges against some participants.
