The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Suleja Branch in Niger State, says it will pursue legal action against security agencies for the alleged fatal shooting of six demonstrators during the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest on August 1.
They denounced the actions of the security agencies, stating that they infringed on the protesters’ fundamental rights to assemble and express themselves.
Additionally, the NBA has established a monitoring committee composed of lawyers to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
The chairman of the Suleja branch of the association, Mr. Abdullahi Liman, stated that he visited the residence of one of the deceased, Mr. Yahaya Isah, to gather credible information for further action.
He said: “The national level of the NBA has asked all the branches to constitute monitoring committees in respect of the protest.
“So, we are going around to see what is really happening. I got information that a man was shot dead, and I came to the house of the victim (Yahaya Nda Isah) to confirm things for myself, and I have seen the corpse.
“So, what we are doing now is to gather information in respect of the incident, and I will reach out to the national level so that we know what to do next in respect of the issue. This cannot be denied.”
The chairman said that while the police have yet to confirm the incident, the NBA has verified the killings.
The NBA had previously pledged to provide free legal assistance (pro bono) to peaceful protesters who face assault or intimidation, and it had instructed its 130 branches nationwide to closely monitor the protests, according to Persecondnews.
Demonstrators attempted to storm the Suleja Police station on Thursday, sparking a clash that resulted in the deployment of teargas.
In an effort to disperse the crowd, police allegedly opened fire, resulting in the instant death of four protesters, while two others succumbed to their injuries en route to Gwagwalada General Hospital.
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