The Human Rights advocacy group, Amnesty International, has called on the Kano state governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, to immediately open a judicial inquiry into the reported deaths of at least 10 protesters in the state. The group alleged that the protesters were shot and killed by state and non-state actors in Kurna and Kofar-Nasarawa areas of the state.
In a statement released on Sunday night, Amnesty International stressed the need for a thorough investigation into the general conduct of security agencies and the alleged involvement of hired thugs, who reportedly disrupted the protests and caused destruction.
The organization urged that the commission’s work be conducted publicly and be adequately resourced to ensure a comprehensive inquiry. Demonstrators have been hitting major streets in Nigeria to demand significant economic reforms and the reinstatement of fuel subsidies, removed by the federal government since Thursday, August 1, but things took a more dramatic turn in Kano where many of the protesters allegedly broke into stores and offices and carted away valuables, some of them were, however, met with strict law enforcement opposition with reports of over 300 arrests.
Amnesty International noted that failure to investigate these killings and incidents would be a severe setback for the rule of law in Nigeria. It would also perpetuate the existing culture of impunity in the country.
The statement read, in part, “The Governor of Kano state, Abba Kabir Yusuf, must immediately establish an independent judicial commission of inquiry to investigate the reckless killing of at least 10 hunger protesters at Kurna and Kofar Nasarawa, Kano. The general conduct of security agencies and the interruptions and destruction caused by alleged hired thugs must also be thoroughly investigated.”
The organization also highlighted the need for victims, their families, and potential witnesses to be protected from any form of harassment, threats, ill-treatment, or reprisals to ensure they can testify freely and without fear before the panel.
