Protests broke out on Monday in the Kofar mata area of Kano State over the reported killing of a teenager in police custody.
Amnesty International alleged that the victim, identified simply as Saifullahi, was tortured to death.
Saifullahi, 17, was reportedly arrested on Saturday by the police during the pursuit of some suspects.
The protest was sparked off by the delivery of the victim’s corpse to his parents by the police on Monday morning.
Amnesty International tweeted, “Protest is currently going on in Kano around Kofar Mata area, following the death of Saifullah – a 17-year-old in police custody in the morning. The protest against police brutality erupted after it was learnt that Saifullah was allegedly tortured to death by the police.
“Protesters have barricaded the main Kofar Mata road and set tyres on fire chanting songs calling for an end to police brutality.”
Protest is currently going on in Kano around Kofar Mata area, following the death of Saifullah – a 17-year-old in police custody in the morning. The protest against police brutality erupted after it was learnt that Saifullah was allegedly tortured to death by the police. #EndSARS pic.twitter.com/JaURZLe1js
— Amnesty International Nigeria (@AmnestyNigeria) October 19, 2020
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Abdullahi Haruna, was not available for comments on the development.
The incident comes amid nationwide protests against police brutality.
In the past 12 days, aggrieved Nigerians have been in the streets calling on the Federal Government to end brutality and extrajudicial killings by the police.
They are also calling for a comprehensive reform of the police among other demands.