Amnesty Condemns Nigerian Government Over Protest Killings, Disappearances

Amnesty International has strongly condemned the Nigerian government for its continued failure to deliver justice and accountability regarding two major human rights issues. Six years after the disappearance of university lecturer and government critic Abubakar Idris, aka Dadiyata, the government has been accused of negligence and silence, with no credible updates or investigations into the enforced disappearance that symbolizes a broader repression culture. Separately, Amnesty marked the first anniversary of the 2024 #EndBadGovernance protests, where at least 24 peaceful demonstrators were killed by police using live ammunition, often with intent to kill, and many others were arbitrarily arrested, tortured, or detained under harsh conditions. Despite compelling evidence and widespread public outcry, no members of the security forces have been prosecuted, and the government has failed to protect the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. Amnesty International’s Nigeria Director, Isa Sanusi, criticized the government’s inaction and urged for full accountability and independent investigations in both cases, highlighting that these failures send a chilling message about speaking truth to power in Nigeria. The government has yet to respond meaningfully to calls for justice in either the disappearance of Dadiyata or the violent suppression of the protests.