By correspondent in Minna.
Contrary to official claims by the Niger State Government, the State Police Command, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the CLEEN Foundation has alleged a deliberate cover-up of the actual casualties recorded during the 2024 nationwide hunger protests.
The foundation, in a media and civil society briefing held in Minna, provided evidence suggesting excessive force was used which led to multiple fatalities—six of them occurring in Niger State alone, the highest recorded in any single state during the protests.
The protests, which swept across the country under the hashtag #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria, were largely driven by young Nigerians frustrated by economic hardship and systemic inequalities.
The CLEEN Foundation’s Executive Director, Mr. Peter Maduoma, expressed concern over what he described as “a state-sponsored misinformation campaign” aimed at downplaying the actual number of casualties.
He noted that journalists attempting to report the true situation faced harassment and intimidation.
Among them was the Niger State Correspondent of Daily Independent newspaper, who was reportedly targeted by government agents for documenting the bloodshed,he added.
Calls for Reform and Accountability.
Maduoma, who was represented by CLEEN Foundation’s Programme Manager, Mrs. Chigozorim Okoro, stressed the need for urgent reforms in Nigeria’s law enforcement agencies.e
He emphasized the necessity for:a globally acceptable approach to crowd control,accountability mechanisms to prevent future human rights abuses,regular human rights training for law enforcement personnel and
civic education to ensure protests remain peaceful and not exploited for criminal activities
Our correspondent reports that
Panelists at the event, drawn from media and civil society organizations, echoed CLEEN Foundation’s concerns.
They called for press freedom protections, arguing that journalists should not be subjected to intimidation for doing their job.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
