From Molly Kilete, Abuja
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered a comprehensive investigation into claims by Amnesty International alleging police involvement in the deaths and arrests of protesters and the use of excessive force during the #EndBadGovernance protests in August 2024.
The IGP has also directed Commissioners of Police in the affected states to submit detailed reports on the incidents within one week. According to the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the directives aim to identify any deviation from Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and rules of engagement, regardless of the security agencies involved.
In a statement, Adejobi reassured the public that the Nigeria Police Force is committed to safeguarding citizens’ fundamental rights, promoting the rule of law, and improving operational standards based on constructive feedback.
The statement reads:
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 Inspector-General by affected Commands.
The Force wishes to reiterate that throughout the protests, it operated in compliance with established rules of engagement, including providing security for peaceful protesters. The IGP had issued clear directives to all Commissioners of Police on managing the protests, emphasising that officers should not deploy arms to manage protests. 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 restricted to specialised armed units to restore order.
The Police recorded several unpalatable incidents during the protests, which were accurately documented and publicly shared. For instance, in Borno State, four individuals tragically lost their lives, and 34 others sustained severe injuries following an attack by suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP operatives who infiltrated the protest and detonated an improvised explosive device (IED). In another isolated incident, an unregistered vehicle rammed into protesters, resulting in two fatalities. These events, which accounted for the total of seven recorded deaths during the protests, were not caused by police actions.
In Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa, Nasarawa, and Niger States, some protesters displayed foreign flags, destroyed public and private property, and attacked police personnel deployed to ensure their safety. The Police Force employed strategic measures, including the lawful use of tear gas, to prevent further escalation and ensure public safety. Tear gas, a globally accepted practice for dispersing unruly crowds, was applied judiciously without recourse to live ammunition.
The Police did not fire live ammunition or 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 granted pardons to individuals arrested during the protests despite the severity of their offences, evidencing its commitment to reconciliation and national unity.
In response to Amnesty International’s allegations, the IGP has directed a comprehensive investigation. Commissioners of Police in the affected states have been mandated to submit further detailed reports on the incidents within one week. This directive aims to identify any deviation from the SOPs and rules of engagement, regardless of the security agencies involved.
The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to safeguarding the fundamental rights of all citizens, promoting the rule of law, and improving operational standards based on constructive and objective feedback.