Amnesty International Nigeria has expressed concern over use of deadly force by the Nigeria Police and other security agencies in Nigeria.
The body said this in reaction to the reported deaths of six people in a crackdown on supporters of the lslamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), who were protesting the detention of their leader in Abuja on Monday.
Seun Bakare, Programme Manager, in a statement said: “Eyewitnesses have told us that six people were shot dead amid a reckless use of lethal force by the Nigerian police against unarmed supporters of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) today.
“This new crackdown is part of a shocking pattern in which security forces have used live ammunition to disperse IMN supporters who are simply exercising their freedom of expression.
“Images of IMN supporters being driven from the streets of Abuja with gunfire demonstrate once again the Nigerian authorities’ resolve to use lethal force rather than the rule of law in addressing the grievances of the IMN.
“The Nigerian authorities must promptly investigate in an independent and impartial manner the police shootings and bring to justice all those suspected of criminal responsibility in fair trials.
“The police must exercise restraint at all times and use force only when strictly necessary.”
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