Prominent Nigerian human rights activist and social commentator, Aisha Yesufu, has strongly criticised the Nigerian government following reports that security forces allegedly opened fire on students protesting worsening insecurity across parts of the country. The development has sparked widespread outrage, reigniting concerns about the state’s handling of peaceful protests and its broader response to the nation’s deepening security crisis.
Yesufu, known for her outspoken advocacy on governance, accountability and human rights, issued a blistering reaction on Monday through a series of posts on her verified X (formerly Twitter) account. In her remarks, she accused the government of failing in its most fundamental responsibility to protect citizens, describing the reported use of lethal force against unarmed students as a grave moral and constitutional failure.
The activist questioned the legitimacy of a state that, according to the reports, responds to calls for protection with violence. She argued that such actions erode the distinction between the government and the violent non-state actors Nigerians fear.
“The Nigerian State cannot continue to kill its own,” Yesufu wrote. “How are students that are protesting to be protected by government being killed by the same government? What then makes the government different from the terrorists and kidnappers that the students are protesting to be protected from?”
Her comments followed reports of a violent crackdown on student-led demonstrations organised to draw attention to persistent kidnappings, terrorist attacks and killings affecting schools and communities in several parts of the country. While official details surrounding the incident remain unclear, accounts circulating on social media and from civil society groups alleged that security operatives fired live ammunition to disperse the protesters, resulting in casualties.
The protests come against the backdrop of heightened insecurity in early 2026, marked by renewed mass abductions in parts of Niger and Kebbi states and a deadly New Year’s Eve attack in Plateau State that claimed several lives. These incidents have heightened anxiety nationwide, particularly among students who increasingly see educational institutions as soft targets for criminal gangs and extremist groups.
In recent months, schools across northern and central Nigeria have faced repeated disruptions due to kidnappings and attacks, forcing some state governments to temporarily shut down institutions or relocate students. Despite assurances from authorities, many parents and students remain fearful, accusing the government of failing to provide adequate protection.
Yesufu argued that the protests reflected desperation rather than defiance, describing them as a cry for survival by young Nigerians whose right to life is under constant threat. According to her, the students were not demanding luxuries or privileges but “the most basic right, which is the right to life.”
She drew a sharp contrast between the learning environment in Nigeria and those in other parts of the world, noting that while students elsewhere enjoy secure campuses and supportive conditions, Nigerian students are trapped in what she described as a deadly dilemma.
“Students in other parts of the world are provided with an enabling environment to learn,” Yesufu said. “In Nigeria, students are caught between terrorists and kidnappers on one side and the government on the other.”
Her remarks have resonated widely, drawing reactions from civil society organisations, student unions and concerned citizens who expressed alarm at the alleged use of force against peaceful demonstrators. Many argued that protests are a constitutionally guaranteed right and that the use of lethal force against unarmed protesters violates both domestic and international human rights standards.
Human rights lawyers have also weighed in, warning that if confirmed, the alleged killings could amount to extrajudicial executions. They called for an independent investigation to establish the facts, identify those responsible and ensure accountability.
According to rights advocates, the Nigerian Constitution guarantees the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression, while security agencies are expected to employ crowd-control measures that prioritise the protection of life. The alleged firing of live ammunition, they argued, would represent a gross breach of these principles.
Student groups have similarly condemned the reported incident, insisting that protests were organised as a last resort after repeated appeals to authorities yielded little result. In statements released by some student associations, organisers maintained that the demonstrations were peaceful and focused solely on demanding improved security around schools and communities.
The federal government and security agencies have yet to issue a detailed response addressing the specific allegations raised by Yesufu and other critics. However, in previous instances of protest-related violence, authorities have often defended their actions by citing the need to maintain public order, a justification that has repeatedly been challenged by rights groups.
Analysts say the incident highlights the broader tension between citizens’ demands for safety and the government’s security approach. While authorities insist they are making progress in combating insecurity, many Nigerians argue that the situation on the ground tells a different story, especially in rural areas and conflict-prone states.
Yesufu warned that the continued use of force against civilians risks deepening public distrust in government institutions and radicalising frustrated youth. She argued that a state that suppresses peaceful dissent undermines its own legitimacy and fuels the very instability it claims to be fighting.
“If citizens cannot protest insecurity without being killed, then the social contract has completely broken down,” she said in one of her posts.
The activist called on the government to immediately halt what she described as the militarisation of civic spaces and to engage protesters through dialogue rather than violence. She also urged lawmakers, judicial authorities and the international community to take the allegations seriously and demand accountability.
Observers note that Yesufu’s intervention adds to growing pressure on the government to rethink its response to protests and address the root causes of insecurity. Beyond condemning violence, critics say there is a need for concrete measures, including improved intelligence gathering, better funding and welfare for security personnel, and greater collaboration with communities.
As outrage continues to spread online and offline, many Nigerians are watching closely to see how authorities respond. For families already traumatised by kidnappings and attacks, the prospect of students being harmed while demanding protection has deepened a sense of fear and injustice.
For Yesufu and other advocates, the issue goes beyond a single incident. It speaks to a larger question about the value of human life and the responsibility of the state in a democracy.
“The government exists to protect lives, not to take them,” she insisted. “Anything short of that is a betrayal of the people.”
The coming days are expected to test the government’s commitment to transparency and reform, as calls grow louder for an independent probe into the alleged killings and a renewed focus on safeguarding Nigeria’s students from both criminals and state violence.
