General
Human Rights Watch Condemns Deadly Crackdown on Shia Protesters
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Authorities in Nigeria have been criticised by the Human Rights Watch for the “excessive use of force” on members of the Shia Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) during their peaceful protest in Abuja, on July 22, 2019.
At the demonstration, which later turned deadly, Nigerian police fired shots at the religious group who are demanding the release of their leader, Sheikh Ibrahim El Zakzaky, who has been kept in detention since 2015 by the government despite court granting him bail to seek medical attention.
At Monday’s protest, a senior policeman and a journalist with Channels Television were among the 11 persons killed during a fracas between members of the Shia Movement and the cops.
Reacting to the incident in a statement on Tuesday, the Human Rights Watch called on the authorities to allow the detained religious leader proper medical care.
“The Nigerian police’s apparent rush to use firearms against Shia movement protesters is unlawful and counterproductive,” said Anietie Ewang, Nigeria researcher at Human Rights Watch. “The authorities should bring an end to their violent crackdown on the Shia Islamic Movement in Nigeria, and investigate the excessive use of force by the police.”
The July 22 protest began at about 12:30 p.m., when several thousand protesters marched toward the Federal Government Secretariat to register their grievances. As they approached the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerian Police Force opened fire and threw teargas at the protesters, said Mohammed Ibrahim Gamawa, a member of the Resource Forum, an IMN-associated group.
Gamawa said he saw the police shoot two women and two men and that the women were shot in the head. A local journalist said he saw 11 bodies of protesters who had been shot. The Shia movement also said that about 11 had died.
At least 30 members of the group were injured, Gamawa said. He said that in many cases, hospital staff wouldn’t treat gunshot wounds unless the victims first presented a police report, to ensure the police are notified of gun incidents.
“They started shooting toward us, at everyone – they didn’t care who the bullets hit,” said a 26-year-old University of Abuja student. “A bullet hit my left leg, and I was carried away by my brothers in the movement.” He said that he participated in the march with his friends until policemen opened fire on the group. He said he went to the university hospital’s emergency room but left when police arrived to arrest protesters. “We have changed our location twice because we’re afraid of the police. The bullet is still in my leg; I think my leg is broken. I feel so much pain all over my body.”
A 20-year-old protester said that he was shot in the ankle. He was afraid he would be arrested if he went to the hospital, so he was being treated in hiding by friends with medical training.
The Nigerian broadcaster Channels Television Station reported that a stray bullet killed one of their journalists covering the protest, Precious Owolabi.
The police issued a statement on July 22, confirming the death of Deputy Commissioner of Police Usman A.K Umar, who the police claim was shot by the protesters. The statement said that two other senior police officials were also injured by protesters who “violently attacked innocent citizens and Police personnel on duty” and “also razed down a National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Response Post close to the Federal Secretariat, Abuja and two (2) vehicles.”
The Shia movement denied all allegations of violence by their members who took part in the protest. They alleged that the police were responsible for the deaths of Deputy Commissioner Umar and the reporter.
The police announced that they had arrested 54 IMN members since the protest. They are currently “under interrogation” but have not been charged.
Nigerian security forces should abide by the United Nations Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials, Human Rights Watch said. The Basic Principles state that security forces shall “apply non-violent means before resorting to the use of force and firearms,” and that whenever the lawful use of force and firearms is unavoidable, security forces should exercise restraint and act in proportion to the seriousness of the offense and the legitimate objective to be achieved. They should also minimize injury and preserve human life. The intentional lethal use of firearms may only be made “when strictly unavoidable in order to protect life.” The Basic Principles further provide that in cases of death or serious injury, “a detailed report shall be sent promptly to the competent authorities.”
Nigerian judicial officials and the National Human Rights Commission should carry out credible, impartial investigations into the violence during the July 22 protest, Human Rights Watch said. Those responsible for the unlawful use of force should be brought to justice in fair trials. Authorities should immediately release protesters who were arbitrarily arrested and who have not been charged with a credible offense, and they should ensure that all injured protesters have safe access to urgent medical care.
Nigerian authorities have used excessive force against Islamic Movement in Nigeria protests since 2015, Human Rights Watch said. On December 12, 2015, the Nigerian army used excessive force against the group’s street procession in Zaria, Kaduna State, in northwest Nigeria, allegedly to clear the way for the army chief’s convoy. In an ensuing three-day crackdown, the army killed 347 members of the group and arrested hundreds more, including the group’s leader, El Zakzaky, and his wife, Ibraheemat.
In September 2016, a Kaduna State Judicial Commission of Inquiry recommended prosecuting soldiersinvolved in the Zaria killings. State prosecutors ignored that recommendation. However, they brought charges against 177 members of the Shia movement for the killing of Cpl. Dan Kaduna Yakubu, the only military casualty in the incident.
IMN representatives allege that subsequent crackdowns on the group’s activities and protests in Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Yobe, Plateau, Sokoto, and Abuja calling for justice and the release of their leader have resulted in the deaths of at least 110 people.
In one of the most violent incidents, in October 2018 soldiers opened fire on large groups of Shia protesters in Abuja, killing at least 42 IMN members during three days of protests, according to the group.
Human Rights Watch confirmed that at least 21 people were fatally shot during the violence in Karu, Abuja on October 29.
“Nigerian authorities should put an end to using excessive and lethal force against processions and protesters,” Ewang said. “Those responsible for the latest deadly crackdown on Shia movement members, as well as the earlier bloody incidents, should be fairly brought to justice.”
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Members of the public have been invited to submit memoranda and policy proposals on the proposed National Policing Bill.
The Chairman of the Working Group, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila, announced this on Monday after the team’s meeting at the State House in Abuja.
The group, headed by the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, is calling for input from Nigerians as part of efforts to establish a comprehensive legal and operational framework for state policing.
It is reviewing the Police Act 2020, the Police Service Commission framework, police regulations, and other relevant laws to support the development of an effective, modern policing system.
The proposed framework will set national minimum standards, define state readiness and grant certification, clarify jurisdictional responsibilities, ensure independent oversight, uphold human rights, and guarantee sustainable funding. It would also spell out an orderly transition to a dual-policing structure.
The call for memoranda will run for two weeks, allowing citizens, professionals, civil society, security agencies, state and local governments, academics, and other stakeholders to contribute. Submissions will be reviewed and integrated into the draft bill, which will then be subject to further national consultation before being finalised and sent to the National Assembly.
The Working Group has adopted a seven-week work programme running from July 27 to September 14, 2026. The draft Executive Bill is scheduled for presentation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on September 3, 2026, with national consultations to follow before the final approval.
The new National Policing Bill will set out requirements for recruitment, training, oversight, funding, and transition arrangements to ensure credible, effective, and accountable policing nationwide.
“A proposed State Police Service must demonstrate that it has credible arrangements for recruitment, vetting, training, pay, pensions, equipment, custody, complaints, discipline, data, firearms control, independent oversight and financial sustainability before it begins policing,” Mr Gbajabiamila said.
The representative of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, who described State Police as a landmark reform, described the initiative as one of the defining reforms of President Tinubu’s administration.
Responding to concerns about federal overreach, he clarified that there is no Federal attempt to control State Police. He added that the proposed legislation is intended to provide an operational framework rather than centralise control.
Prince Lateef Fagbemi, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, said the proposed National Policing Bill is designed to guarantee the security of lives and property while ensuring that the establishment of state police does not become a tool for political persecution.
The Attorney-General added that states not immediately ready to establish their own police services would continue to benefit from the presence of the Federal Police until they meet the required standards.
Other participants at the meeting included the Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu; President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Afam Osigwe; Chairman, Policy Advisory Committee, Justice Abdullahi Liman (rtd); Professor Olu Ogunsakin, Head, Nigeria Police Reform Secretariat; Senior Special Assistant to the President on Planning and Research, Nnadubem Moghalu; and Brigadier General Olutayo Muyiwa Adesuyi, representing the National Security Adviser.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) says it recorded a 30 per cent reduction in gas imbalance on the country’s Western Network following the conclusion of its first-half 2026 Nigerian Gas Network Reconciliation (NGNR) Workshop.
The workshop brought together gas transporters, suppliers, shippers and off-takers to reconcile gas volumes traded between January and June 2026, while introducing a Network Entry/Exit Point Measurement Infrastructure Audit Template aimed at improving metering accuracy and accountability across the gas transmission network.
In a communiqué issued after the workshop, the authority said participants also reviewed the performance of the Nigerian Gas Transmission Network, assessed progress on major pipeline infrastructure projects, and received updates on the ELPS Gas Shrinkage Factor and Hydraulic Modelling Project.
Discussions focused on addressing metering gaps, improving network visibility through Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) integration, and enhancing system reliability ahead of the commissioning of the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Pipeline System.
The workshop adopted key resolutions, including the execution of outstanding Network Exit Agreements, mandatory submission of measurement audit templates and closer collaboration among industry stakeholders to improve network pressure management.
Speaking at the closing session on behalf of the authority’s chief executive, Mr Rabiu A. Umar, the Director of Transportation Systems and Networks, Mr Joseph G. Musa, said the biannual reconciliation exercise had become critical to promoting equitable gas transactions, transparency, investor confidence and efficient network operations.
Mr Musa noted that since the NGNR process was introduced in 2023, it had significantly improved gas measurement, strengthened regulatory compliance through consequence management, reduced operational imbalances and contributed to a more reliable domestic gas supply.
The workshop concluded with participants adopting the reconciled H1 2026 gas volumes, reaffirming the authority’s commitment to a transparent, efficient and reliable domestic gas market.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
An investment that supports growing food and agriculture companies across Africa that strengthen agricultural value chains has been made by Swedfund.
The organisation is putting down about $12 million to strengthen climate resilience in African food systems through the Acumen Resilient Agriculture Fund II (ARAF II).
By improving access to markets, finance and essential services, these companies help smallholder farmers become more resilient to climate and economic shocks.
Over 30 million smallholder farmers operate across Sub-Saharan Africa, accounting for 80 per cent of all farms and producing 70 per cent of the region’s food (IFAD). Yet many face limited access to finance, quality inputs, reliable buyers and market information. At the same time, they are among those most exposed to climate change and weather-related shocks, which threaten harvests, incomes and food security.
The investment has an ambition to reach around four million smallholder farmers through ARAF II’s portfolio companies. It also aims to meet the criteria of the 2X Challenge, which promotes investments that support women’s economic empowerment.
ARAF II invests in businesses that address key gaps in agricultural value chains, from improving market access and reducing post-harvest losses to expanding financial and digital services for farmers. By helping these businesses grow, the investment aims to improve productivity, strengthen local value chains and increase the resilience of food systems.
Swedfund invests alongside other development finance institutions and investors to help mobilise long-term capital for businesses that often struggle to access financing despite their potential to strengthen food security, climate resilience and economic development across Africa.
“Climate change is already affecting the livelihoods of millions of smallholder farmers across Africa. Investing in businesses that improve access to markets, finance and agricultural services helps farmers strengthen their resilience, increase productivity and build more stable incomes. That is essential for more resilient food systems,” the Investment Director of Food Systems and Strategic Investments at Swedfund, Ms Helen Hagos, said.
