Three protesters were reportedly killed by soldiers in Gashua town in the Bade Local Government Area of the state while protesting against the frequent violation of their rights by soldiers.
A global human rights organisation, Amnesty International has demanded an independent investigation into the alleged killing of three protesters in Yobe State by soldiers of the Nigerian army.
Three protesters were reportedly killed by soldiers in Gashua town in the Bade Local Government Area of the state while protesting against the frequent violation of their rights by soldiers.
It was gathered that the protest started when one of the vehicles of the military patrolling the town hit a tricycle and injured its rider and passengers. This ignited an angry reaction from the association of tricyclists in the town, whose members protested.
However, while protesting against the incident, military personnel at a checkpoint were said to have aimed at them, killing three protesters and injuring several others.
Reacting to the incident, Amnesty International in a statement issued on Thursday decried the killing of the protesters, saying that the people of the town have been complaining about alleged extortion and reckless conduct of soldiers.
The global human rights organisation said that the Nigerian military’s recklessness is a result of the authorities’ failure to hold them to account for a long list of such atrocities.
Amnesty International said, “The Nigerian military must conduct a thorough investigation into the killing of three persons who were protesting frequent violations by soldiers in Gashua Yobe state on 14 April 2024. Seven protesters severely injured as a result of gunshots are currently receiving treatment.
“Repeatedly the people of the town in northeast Nigeria have been complaining about alleged extortion and reckless conduct of soldiers in the town that led to accidents involving their patrol vehicles.
“The Nigerian military’s recklessness is a result of the authorities’ failure to hold them to account for a long list of such atrocities.
“Soldiers suspected of responsibility for this unlawful use of lethal force in flagrant disregard for human rights must be held to account.”