At least 15 members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN)—including two children—are suffering from gunshot wounds and need urgent medical attention. The IMN members were injured when police used tear gas and live ammunition to disperse a peaceful protest they were participating in. They have been denied access to medical care and to their lawyers or family members since their arrest on 22 July.
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Mohammed Adamu
The Inspector General of Police
Force Headquarters
Loius Edet House
Shehu Shagari Way
Area 11 Garki
Abuja, Nigeria
Email: [email protected]
Ambassador Sylvanus Adiewere Nsofor
Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
3519 International Court, NW Washington, DC 20008
Tel: 202 800 7201 I Fax: 202 775 1385
Email: [email protected], [email protected]
Contact Form: https://bit.ly/2N9Hp6f
Twitter: @NigerianEmbassy
Salutation: Dear Ambassador
Dear Inspector General,
I write to express my concern for the injured Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) protesters, currently in police custody and in need of urgent medical attention.
On 22 July, Nigeria Police arrested at least 18 members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) during a peaceful protest in Abuja to demand for the release of their leader Sheikh Ibraheem El Zakzaky. The protest turned violent when the Nigeria Police fired teargas and live ammunition to disperse the protesters. Some of the IMN members were arrested during the protest, while others were arrested at the University of Abuja Teaching hospital where they were receiving treatment for gunshot wounds sustained during the protest.
According to credible information received by Amnesty International, two of the injured protesters are reported to have died in custody between 22 and 23 July due to lack of medical treatment, while a third person died on 24 July. Prior to their death, they pleaded with the police to take them to the hospital, but the police ignored their pleas and instead mocked them for their religious beliefs and engaging in the protest.
The remaining 15 IMN members are currently in critical condition with various gunshot wounds to their legs, stomach, hips and some are unable to walk. Among those detained are two girls who are being held in the same cell. The IMN members have been denied access to urgent medical care as well as their lawyers and family members.
I urge you to ensure that the injured IMN protesters in custody are released immediately and granted immediate access to adequate medical care and to their families and lawyer. Also ensure they are protected from torture and other ill-treatment while in detention.
Yours sincerely,
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