By John Ogunsemore
The Nigeria Police Force has said Amnesty International’s report detailing the killing of EndBadGovernance protesters by police personnel is “unfounded, misleading, and inconsistent with incident reports”.
The rebuttal is contained in a statement signed by Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi on Monday.
In its report titled, ‘Bloody August: Nigerian government’s violent crackdown on #EndBadGovernance protests’, Amnesty International said no fewer than 24 protesters were killed and 1,200 others arrested during the nationwide protests.
The rights group alleged that security agents committed “acts of torture and other ill-treatment against protesters” during the 10-day protest held in August.
In his Monday statement, the police spokesman said the police did not use live ammunition nor caused the death of any protester.
He disclosed that the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun has directed a comprehensive investigation into the claims in Amnesty International’s report.
“The Nigeria Police Force has expressed serious concern regarding a recent 34-page report released by Amnesty International, which alleges police culpability in the deaths and arrests of protesters, and the use of excessive force during the #EndBadGovernance protests in August 2024.
“The Force categorically refutes these allegations as unfounded, misleading, and inconsistent with incident reports submitted to the office of the Inspector-General of Police by affected Commands,” the statement reads in part.
Adejobi added, “The Force wishes to reiterate that throughout the protests, it operated in compliance with established rules of engagement, including providing security for peaceful protesters.”
He said Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, had issued clear directives to all Commissioners of Police on managing the protests, emphasising that officers should not deploy arms to manage protests.
“Instead, arms were only to be used when protests escalated into riots involving loss of lives and damage to property. Even then, engagement with armed protesters was limited strictly to specialized armed units to restore order,” he quoted the IGP as saying.
Adejobi added, “It is important to state that the police did not fire live ammunition nor cause the death of any protester. Officers demonstrated professionalism, restraint, and adherence to constitutional and international standards, even when subjected to attacks and injuries. Arrests made during the protests targeted individuals engaging in criminal acts such as treason, vandalism, robbery, arson, and looting. These arrests were conducted lawfully, and those detained were treated within the ambit of the law.
“In a gesture of magnanimity, the Federal Government has since granted pardon to the individuals arrested during the protests despite the severity of their offenses, evidencing its commitment to reconciliation and national unity.
“In response to Amnesty International’s allegations, the IGP has directed a comprehensive investigation into the claims.”