Amnesty Report: Police Deny Killing #Endbadgovernance Protesters
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,” a statement by Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said on Monday.
The police reiterated that throughout the protests, its personnel operated in compliance with established rules of engagement, including providing security for peaceful protesters.
It recalled that the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, had issued clear directives to all Commissioners of Police 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.”
The police claimed that “several unpalatable incidents” were recorded during the protests.
“For example, in Borno State, 4 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).”
“Similarly, in another isolated incident, an unregistered vehicle rammed into protesters, resulting in 2 fatalities. These events, which accounted for the total of 7 recorded deaths during the protests, were not caused by police actions.”
“Furthermore, 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 had to employ strategic measures, including the lawful use of tear gas, to prevent further escalation and ensure public safety.”
The force headquarters insisted that at no time did its personnel use live ammunition.
“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,” the statement added.
It also explained that those arrested during the protests were engaged in criminal acts such vandalism, robbery, arson, looting, and acts of treason.
The Syndicate reports that despite the denials, the statement said the IGP has directed that a comprehensive investigation into the claims by Amnesty International be undertaken.
He directed Commissioners of Police in the affected states to submit further details on the incidents within a week, to enable the Force Headquarters to determine whether there were cases of “deviation from the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and rules of engagement.”
