Amnesty International has condemned the use of lethal force by security operatives against protesters in Minna, Niger State, following the deaths of 37 young people in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
In a statement on Friday, the rights organisation said some protesters were shot and left with severe injuries, while at least two persons were reportedly killed during the demonstrations. It described the development as unacceptable and called for an immediate end to what it termed atrocities against citizens.
Amnesty International urged Nigerian authorities to institute an independent and well resourced investigation into both the custodial deaths and the killing of protesters, stressing that such a probe must begin without delay.
The organisation also called for adequate support to be extended to parents and relatives of the victims to enable them access justice and appropriate remedies.
The protests in Minna followed public outrage over the deaths of the 37 detainees, who had been held in NSCDC custody.
Reports have linked the deaths to factors including disease outbreaks, overcrowding, and poor ventilation within the facility, although investigations into the exact circumstances are still ongoing.
The custodial deaths had already drawn condemnation from prominent Nigerians, including former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, who described the incident as a deeply troubling tragedy and called for a transparent and credible investigation to establish accountability.
Amnesty International’s latest statement adds to growing pressure on the authorities to address both the circumstances surrounding the deaths in custody and the response of security forces to the protests that followed, as calls mount for justice for the victims and their families.
