Hunger protests: Military contradicts IGP, admits use of live ammunition on protesters

The police’s claim over non-use of ammunition on protesters took a new dimension today, when the Nigerian Army confirmed that one of its men killed a teenager in Zaria, Kaduna State.

The #EndBadGovernance protest, which started on a peaceful note later degenerated into violence in different parts of the country, reports Daily Trust.

The first reported incident of killing was in Suleja, Niger State, where at least six protesters were allegedly shot by security operatives trying to restore order.

Next was in Kubwa, Abuja, where a teenager was reportedly gunned down by a policeman.

Similar killings were recorded in Kaduna, Kano, Jigawa, Borno, Katsina, among others.

But despite multiple videos of extrajudicial killings, the police denied each and all of them.

Amnesty International had condemned the use of lethal force against protesters.

In a statement, the human rights group said, “Our findings, so far, show that security personnel at the locations where lives were lost deliberately used tactics designed to kill while dealing with gatherings of people protesting hunger and deep poverty.”

President of Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, also warned the Police and other security forces to stop what he described as “massacre” of protesters.

Ajaero, who also questioned the professionalism of the police high command and its officers being superintended by Kayode Egbetokun. The labour leader said the police officers should divert their energy towards marauding bandits wreaking havocs in the country and be brutal against them rather than innocent Nigerians demanding their rights.