Second press release: Reports that a senior police officer has been killed by police fire; 5 injured protesters picked up by armed police from hospital and taken to an unknown destination.

TRIGGER WARNING: Graphic video of violence and injuries follows the text.

Protestors demanding the release of Sheikh El-Zakzaky have faced deadly force again today on a much larger scale from police and security forces. Thus far reports suggest:

(i) possible 12 people were killed in total; 30 are estimated to be injured;

(ii) that a senior police office DCP Omar was also caught in police fire and killed;

(iii) 5 injured protestors were picked up by armed police whilst waiting for admission to the Emergency Unit at University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada. The police fired warning shots upon arrival, and the 5 have been taken to unknown destination(s).

Chair of IHRC, Massoud Shadjareh said:

“The international community must take a stand against the continuing violence by the state against innocent, peaceful protestors. The Buhari administration’s disregard for human life and the rule of law cannot continue without condemnation and action form the wider family of nations. We demand not only the immediate release of Sheikh El-Zakzaky and all those illegally detained, but punitive measures from international governmental organisations against Nigeria until and unless redress and restitution is made. This level of violence and atrocities is now eclipsing that of the junta of Sani Abacha. It is clear that this administration is civilian in name only.”

For more information, please contact the Press Office on +44 7958522196 (out of office hours) or media@ihrc.org, or +44 20 8904 4222 during office hours. Video from today’s attacks on the demonstration in Abuja follows.[ENDS]