2024-08-07 13:10:13
The results of the exhibition against the rise in money and “Evil Kingdom” that rocked Nigeria on August 1 left 21 dead, according to Amnesty International. An earlier report from the NGO reported at least thirteen victims.
Six people were killed in Suleja, near the capital Abuja, four in Maiduguri, in the northeast, and three in Kaduna, 200 km north of Abuja, on Thursday, Amnesty wrote in a statement published on Wednesday. on. Seven other people were killed in Kano and another in Azare, two cities in the north of the country, said Isa Sanusi, director of Amnesty International in Nigeria. Mr. Sanusi added that, the NGO is investigating other deaths during the conflict.
Demonstrations that began on Wednesday August 1, bringing together thousands of people throughout the country, have been suppressed by the police, according to journalists from Agence France-Presse, who were on the scene. Amnesty International condemned the use of firearms and called for investigations into the conduct of the police. On their part, the police and the army have denied any responsibility.
The most populous country in Africa, Nigeria is going through a severe economic crisis after the reforms carried out by the President, Bola Tinubu, who came to power in May 2023. The food budget is over 40%, and Petrol price has become three. Those who participated in the protest called “End bad governance in Nigeria” are calling on the president to reverse some reforms, such as the suspension of fuel subsidy, and to reverse it. “End Suffering and Hunger”.
Before Wednesday’s demonstrations, the government representatives have called on the population to give the reforms time to bear fruit, listing the aid proposed to reduce economic problems, including an increase in the minimum wage and the delivery of grain to the national states – the language. The organizers of the demonstration, an informal coalition of social groups, have promised to continue their actions in the coming days, despite warnings from the authorities.
The last large-scale protest in Nigeria was back in October 2020, and it aimed to demand the release of a police team accused of abuse. This army was dispersed, but at least ten demonstrators, according to Amnesty International, were killed, with the government and the army denying any responsibility.
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