Families of #EndBadGovernance Protest Victims Demand Justice, FG’s Investigation

KANO, NIGERIA – Families of victims killed and injured during the #EndBadGovernance protests held from August 1st to 10th, 2024, are demanding a full federal government investigation into the events.

Speaking at a press briefing in Kano on Monday, Ibrahim Yaha, representing the bereaved parents, accused the government of neglecting its duty to investigate alleged police brutality and sweeping the issue under the carpet.

Yaha stated that the families have endured immense suffering since August, alleging that police officers killed their children and that the government has failed to acknowledge the atrocities or offer condolences.

“Each one of us has been in pain,” Yaha said, “because our sons and daughters were killed by the police. We expected the government to acknowledge the atrocities and bring to justice those responsible.”

He further highlighted that some victims were not even participants in the protests but were caught in the crossfire due to what he described as excessive use of force and lethal attempts by the police to suppress the demonstrations.

The families expressed dismay at the lack of any government investigation into the police handling of the protests, and the absence of even a symbolic gesture of sympathy.

The families are demanding that President Bola Tinubu order a panel of inquiry into the killings, composed of experts and family members of the victims. Their demands also include:

A public and impartial investigation into all police killings during the #EndBadGovernance protests.
Accountability and prosecution of those suspected of responsibility for the killings.Justice for the victims’ families.

Yaha concluded by stating that the families are ready to provide all necessary information and evidence to support their claims. The government is yet to respond to these serious allegations.