The Nigerian Army has admitted to using live ammunition during the #EndBadGovernance protests, contradicting earlier claims by the police that security forces did not employ excessive force or use live bullets.
This admission comes after a soldier’s gunfire resulted in the death of a 16-year-old teenager named Ismail Mohammed in Zaria, Kaduna State.The incident occurred when troops were called to help disperse hoodlums who were burning tires and attacking security personnel. The soldier fired a warning shot to scare away the mob, but the bullet struck and killed Mohammed.
The soldier involved has been arrested and is undergoing interrogation.Amnesty International Nigeria has condemned the use of lethal force against protesters and called for a judicial inquiry into the deaths. The organization stated that security personnel deliberately employed tactics designed to kill. Joe Ajaero, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, also criticized the police, urging them to focus on combating bandits rather than suppressing peaceful protesters.
The police spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, acknowledged some instances of killings but denied police involvement, insisting that the police and military did not use live ammunition. However, the Nigerian Army’s admission has intensified scrutiny of the authorities’ response to the protests and highlighted the need for accountability and justice.