A recent report by the CLEEN Foundation has revealed that 23 persons lost their lives during a hunger protest in Northern Nigeria. The protest, which took place in August 2024, was part of a nationwide demonstration against bad governance. According to the report, the victims were all from the northern region of Nigeria.
The report, titled “Report on the Conduct of Law Enforcement Personnel during the August 2024 Nationwide Protest in Nigeria,” was presented in Minna, Niger State, by the Program Manager of the CLEEN Foundation, Chogozirim Okoro. The presentation was part of a series of events held in different states, including Abuja and Kaduna, where similar incidents occurred.
The report’s findings contradict previous claims by the then Niger State Commissioner of Police, Shawulu Danmaman. He insisted that no lives were lost during the protest in Niger State. However, the CLEEN Foundation’s report reveals that six persons were killed in Suleja and Tafa Local Government Areas of Niger State.
The report documents 23 fatalities spread across several states. In Kano, 4 persons were killed. Kaduna had 3 fatalities, as did Borno. Katsina saw the deaths of 2 individuals. Jigawa also recorded 2 deaths. In Bauchi, Gombe, and Kebbi, 1 person was killed in each state.
The report categorizes the protests into two types: peaceful and violent. The protests were largely peaceful in the southern part of Nigeria. However, they turned violent in the northern states. This change resulted in loss of lives and destruction of public property.
The CLEEN Foundation’s report recommends comprehensive reforms in Nigeria’s law enforcement agencies. These reforms include:
– *Strengthening accountability mechanisms*
– *Regular human rights training*
– *Community engagement*
– *Misinformation management*
-*Continuous demilitarization of crowd management*
-*Protection of rights*
The CLEEN Foundation’s report highlights the need for urgent reforms in Nigeria’s law enforcement agencies. The report’s findings emphasize the importance of protecting human rights and promoting peaceful expression. As Nigeria grapples with governance and accountability issues, reports like this highlight the need for sustained reform efforts.