Human rights organisation, Amnesty International, has alleged that Nigerian police in Kano recklessly shot at close range and killed protesters including children in the ongoing nationwide hunger protest.  

In a statement on Sunday, Amnesty International said the police killed 10 protesters in Kano.

The organisation urged the Nigerian authorities to effectively and impartially investigate the killing of at least 10 peaceful hunger protesters by the police at some locations in Kano — including Kurna and Kofar Nasarawa. 

“Some of those killed were children chanting “peace,” the human rights organisation said.

Contacted on Sunday, the Force spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, neither picked calls made to his mobile nor replied to text and WhatsApp messages sent as of the time this report was filed.

Despite footages of police opening lives rounds on fleeing protesters, the Inspector- General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, claimed that the police remained civil in their operations 

Though President Bola Tinubu condoled families of those killed during the protests, he didn’t dwell on the actions of the police in enforcing peace during the demonstrations.

“I commiserate with the families and relations of those who have died in the protests. We must stop further bloodshed, violence and destruction,” Mr Tinubu said.

The number of citizens killed by the police during the nationwide hunger protest had risen to 23 according to Amnesty International which claimed that 13 persons were killed on the first day of the protest on August 1. But the police faulted the claim, stating that 681 criminals were arrested for various crimes between Thursday and Friday.

On Saturday, the third day of nationwide protests, Peoples Gazette reported how security operatives fired live bullets at cars conveying reporters thereby causing panic around the Moshood Abiola Stadium.