Human Rights: The Infamous Rule of Buhari
By Amnesty International
Muhammadu Buhari ruled Nigeria from 2015–2023. Here are some of the gross human rights violations during his rule:
1. Mass slaughter of over 350 men, women and children by Nigerian military in Zaria between 12–14 December 2015. Exactly 10–years ago, hundreds of men, women and children were slaughtered in Zaria and the military attempted to cover-up this crime, demonstrating an utter contempt for human life and accountability. Amnesty International published evidence gathered on the ground, revealing how the Nigerian military burned people alive, razed buildings and dumped victims’ bodies in mass graves. No one was held to account.
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2. The Nigerian security forces carried out chilling campaign of extrajudicial executions and violence resulting in the deaths of at least 150 peaceful pro-Biafra protesters between August 2015 and August 2016. By far the largest number of pro-Biafra activists were killed on Biafra Remembrance Day on 30 May 2016 when an estimated 1,000 IPOB members and supporters gathered for a rally in Onitsha, Anambra State. The night before the rally, security forces raided homes and a church where IPOB members were sleeping. Many were slaughtered, some burnt alive.
3. The Buhari administration’s failure to bring perpetrators to justice fuelled a bloody escalation in the conflict between farmers and herders across the country, resulting in at least 3,641 deaths in three years. Over 57% of the 3,641 recorded deaths occurred in 2018. At least 310 attacks were recorded between 5 January 2016 and 5 October 2018. The attacks were most frequent in Adamawa, Benue, Kaduna, Taraba, Plateau and Zamfara.
4. Under Buhari, journalists were arrested, intimidated and harassed. Bloggers were beaten. At least 19 journalists and media practitioners were attacked, arrested, tortured, harassed and threatened between January and September 2019. At least, three journalists had to go into hiding. Daily Trust and Premium Times were raided by security forces.
5. Peaceful #EndSARS protests seeking an end to the atrocities of SARS — a callous unit of the Nigeria Police, was met with violent crackdown. At least, 56 people were killed nationwide. At least, 12 protesters were killed at #LekkiTollGate and Alausa on 20 Oct. 2020. Those who supported #EndSARS were intimidated, bank accounts blocked and put on watchlist at arports.
6. Thousands of women and girls who survived the brutal rule of the Boko Haram armed group were further abused by the Nigerian security forces and CJTF who claim to be rescuing them. The women and girls were raped, sometimes in exchange for food.
7. Human rights activists were targeted and subjected to various atrocities. Omoyele Sowore, Olawale Bakare and Agba Jalingo were unlawfully detained in August 2019 simply for expressing views critical of the government. Nigeria’s Department of State Security Service (DSS) flagrantly refused to obey a court order to release Omoyele Sowore and Olawale Bakare. Agba Jalingo’s bail applications were repeatedly and unjustifiably rejected.
