Amnesty International has called for an investigation into an alleged police attack on the National Human Rights Commission headquarters in Abuja.
Police operatives were said to have fired live bullets at the NHRC office in Maitama on Monday while dispersing a protest by members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria.
No one was injured, but some vehicles were reportedly vandalized during the shooting incident.
The Director, Amnesty International Nigeria, Osai Ojigho, condemned the incident which she said endangered the lives of NHRC workers and property.
She said,
“Nigerian authorities must launch a thorough, impartial and effective investigation into the firing of live ammunition and tear gas at protesters which caused damage and endangered the lives and properties of staff of National Human Rights Commission in Maitama Abuja, on Monday.
“This reckless and horrific incident which happened while supporters of Islamic Movement in Nigeria were holding their usual protest by the headquarters of NHRC, once again, shows Nigeria Police’s total disregard for human life and brutal violation of freedom of assembly.”
The human rights organisation noted that the police had on many occasions threatened and intimidated NHRC staff investigating human rights violations.
“The unlawful attack and intimidation of the NHRC by the police is unacceptable, and those responsible for the violence and damage that occurred must be brought to justice,” Ojigho insisted.
