The CLEEN Foundation has released findings showing that 23 protesters were killed by law enforcement personnel during the August 2024 nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests in Nigeria. The report, presented at a media and CSO briefing on Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Abuja, documented significant human rights violations during the demonstrations.
According to Salaudeen Hashim, Director of Programme at CLEEN Foundation, 13 protesters were killed on the first day of the protests, with 10 more deaths occurring on the third day. All fatalities were recorded in northern Nigeria. The investigation also revealed that journalists covering the events were targeted with live bullets and tear gas, impeding their ability to report.
“Law enforcement used varying degrees of force, from tear gas to live ammunition, with instances of excessive force leading to injuries and death,” Hashim stated during his presentation on the rights of citizens to protest and the state’s responsibility to protect.
The hybrid event, held at the Consort Luxury Suite in Abuja, brought together representatives from organisations including ActionAid Nigeria, Law Hub Development Advocacy Centre, and the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD), as well as numerous media organisations.
In his welcome remarks, Peter Maduoma, Acting Executive Editor of CLEEN Foundation, emphasised the importance of understanding the root causes of protests. “People protest when there is injustice or perceived injustice. They protest when people’s voices are being suppressed and during bad governance,” Maduoma explained. He urged the press to amplify the report’s findings and announced plans to use the data for high-level advocacy.
The #EndBadGovernance protests, which took place from August 1-10, 2024, began peacefully but escalated due to tensions with law enforcement. Authorities imposed curfews and deployed security personnel, including military forces, across the country.
CLEEN Foundation’s observation efforts involved 109 trained observers nationwide who monitored law enforcement agencies in real time, gathering data on the use of force, human rights violations, and interactions with protesters. The organisation employed a triangulated methodology to ensure accuracy in their findings.
A key recommendation from the report questioned the government’s deployment of military personnel during civil demonstrations. “The government was in a hurry to deploy the army,” Hashim noted. “Do we need to deploy the army to manage protests? It is a civil protest that needs a civil organisation, the police, to handle.”
Among the report’s recommendations was a call for law enforcement to ensure their responses to mass demonstrations remain proportional to the actions and mood of the crowd. The panel discussion also highlighted the need for civic education to ensure that everyone understands the purpose of protests and does not use them as cover for criminal activities.
The report acknowledged that while authorities were responsible for fatalities, some protesters engaged in arson and looting during the demonstrations. CLEEN Foundation’s analysis has been developed into a policy brief aimed at helping law enforcement personnel prevent deaths during future civil protests in Nigeria.
Dr. Ukoha Ukiwo, Country Programme Manager of the Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria (SPRiNG) programme, Dr. Ukoha Ukiwo, provided context for the monitoring initiative. He explained that SPRiNG aims to support a more stable and peaceful Nigeria by working with stakeholders to address conflict, security, justice, and natural resource management challenges.
“The programme intends to promote peace and security in the country by removing or lessening the impact of critical barriers to peace,” Ukiwo said. “It aims to resolve conflict in a non-violent way.”
Ukiwo outlined the expected outcomes of the report presentation, including “enhanced understanding of good practice in crowd management and human rights protection during protests.” He added that the findings should motivate citizens to “adopt peaceful means of expressing grievance and eschew violence.”
The SPRiNG programme, which funded the observation initiative, is a four-year programme that commenced in May 2024. It is funded by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCDO) and managed by Tetra Tech International Development.
The briefing ended with the unveiling of the report and a policy brief.
The persistent governance challenges that led to the #EndBadGovernance protests reflect ongoing tensions in Nigeria’s socio-political landscape. CLEEN Foundation’s report highlights the need for improved protocols in managing civil demonstrations and respecting citizens’ constitutional rights to peaceful assembly and protest.
As Nigeria approaches another election cycle, the findings and recommendations from this report could play a crucial role in shaping how authorities respond to future demonstrations and help prevent the unnecessary loss of life during civic expressions of discontent.
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