Amnesty International has has reported that  13 people were killed on the first day of nationwide protests, demanding an immediate investigation into these deaths.

In a statement on Friday, the World Humanitarian Group identified the states where the killings happened. They reported that six people died in Suleja, Niger State, with many others injured. Four people were killed in Maiduguri, and three in Kaduna.

Amnesty International called for an impartial investigation and accountability for the security personnel involved, labeling the violent crackdown on peaceful protesters as unacceptable. The group criticized the government’s harsh response, suggesting it was a deliberate attempt to silence dissent.

Their findings show that security forces used deadly tactics against protesters, who were demonstrating against hunger and poverty. In Abuja, police were accused of repeatedly using tear gas on peaceful demonstrators.

Amnesty International urged the Nigerian government to respect the rights to peaceful assembly and free expression, and to address the underlying issues of economic hardship affecting citizens.