 have urged the Police Service Commission (PSC) to hold officers accountable for violating protesters’ rights, emphasizing the need to prevent future abuses.){kind=link}
Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have urged the Police Service Commission (PSC) to hold officers accountable for violating protesters’ rights, emphasizing the need to prevent future abuses.
The CSOs also called on law enforcement agencies to provide detailed information about the well-being of arrested protesters and those still facing legal proceedings.
Speaking at a media engagement in Kaduna, Salaudeen Hashim, Program Director at the CLEEN Foundation, highlighted key findings from the #EndBadGovernance protests of August 1–10, 2024.
He stressed that police intervention should be targeted at individuals engaging in violence, vandalism, or serious crimes rather than peaceful demonstrators.
“While our security agencies acted professionally in some instances, there is still limited information on those arrested during the protests,” Hashim noted.
He urged authorities to disclose details about their whereabouts and condition.
The CSOs also recommended that law enforcement responses to protests should be proportionate to the situation and the behavior of demonstrators.
They suggested a tiered approach to crowd control, starting with minimal intervention and escalating only when necessary.
To improve law enforcement practices, the CSOs advocated for enhanced police training on crowd management, including joint sessions with multiple agencies for better coordination during mass gatherings.
They also emphasized the need for clear guidelines on detaining and processing individuals during large-scale protests.
Additionally, the CSOs called on the federal government to equip officers with modern tools such as rubber bullets, water cannons, and body cameras linked to the Police C4i intelligence unit.
They stressed that cameras should be mandatory during protests, arrests, and checkpoints to ensure transparency and accountability.
Reflecting on the impact of the #EndBadGovernance protests, Hashim stated that the movement had reshaped Nigeria’s political landscape by reinforcing citizens’ rights to peaceful assembly and free expression, as enshrined in Sections 35-40 of the Constitution.
The CSOs also criticized the Public Order Act, arguing that it grants excessive discretionary powers to state governors and police authorities, potentially leading to suppression of dissent.
They highlighted concerns about the act’s inconsistency with constitutional rights and the lack of judicial oversight.
While some believe the law helps maintain public order, critics argue that alternative measures can be adopted without infringing on fundamental rights.
The CSOs advised law enforcement to engage with protest leaders to ensure peaceful demonstrations rather than resorting to arrests.
They also called for open and transparent communication between security agencies and the public before, during, and after mass gatherings to foster trust and prevent conflicts.