In Nigeria, police announce arrests of nearly 700 people during protests, Amnesty International calls for their release

The most populous country in Africa, Nigeria is going through a serious economic crisis, following reforms put in place by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who came to power in May 2023.

The specter of repression looms over Nigeria. The country’s police announced on Saturday, August 3, that they had arrested nearly 700 people during two days of protests against the high cost of living, which took place Thursday and Friday throughout the country. The protests against the rising cost of living and poor governance had brought thousands of people onto the streets on Thursday and had gradually thinned out.

A total of 681 people were arrested, the police said in a statement, accusing them of “criminal offences such as armed robbery, arson, disturbances and destruction of public and private property”. Three hundred and eighty-three of them were arrested in Kano (north), the second city of the country which was the scene of clashes, she specified. Seven people died during the demonstrations, added the police, denying any responsibility.

On Friday, the NGO Amnesty International said at least 13 people had been killed by security forces. Amnesty on Saturday called for the protesters to be released and urged police not to fire live ammunition into the crowd. “The Nigerian authorities must immediately release all those who have been arrested solely for exercising their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly since the start of the hunger protests across the country.”the NGO wrote on social media.

She also called theNigerian authorities in “to impartially investigate the alleged killing of more than six peaceful protesters” Saturday in the Kurna region. “Witnesses said some of the victims were children, shot at point-blank range and without warning.”added the NGO on X.

Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, is in the midst of a severe economic crisis following reforms implemented by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who came to power in May 2023. Food inflation is over 40% and the price of gasoline has tripled. Participants in the protests, dubbed #EndbadGovernanceinNigeria, are calling on the president to reverse reforms, such as the suspension of the fuel subsidy, and to “put an end to suffering and hunger”.