Force challenges claims of brutality during August protests, demands retraction and apology.
The Nigeria Police Force has dismissed allegations made by Amnesty International in its report titled “Bloody August: Nigeria Government’s Violent Crackdown on #EndBadGovernance Protests,” labeling the claims as false, misleading, and damaging to its reputation.
Released on November 28, 2024, Amnesty International’s report accused the police of extrajudicial killings during the August 1-10 #hunger protests, alleging that 24 people were killed across six northern states.
Force spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi, speaking at a press briefing on Sunday, refuted the allegations, stating that a special investigative panel was convened to verify the claims. The panel, in collaboration with state Commissioners of Police, conducted thorough investigations and found significant discrepancies in the report.
“Amnesty International is advised to reflect on its frequently false reporting on Nigeria’s law enforcement activities and ensure its reports are accurate and fair,” Adejobi said. He added that the police would formally request a retraction and public apology from Amnesty International.
Police Findings:
Adejobi detailed the panel’s findings, challenging specific allegations:
- Borno State: Amnesty claimed police threw a grenade into a filling station, killing three people. The police described this as “a blatant falsehood,” noting instead that violent protesters looted and vandalized public and private property, including facilities belonging to the UN High Commission for Refugees and the World Food Programme.
- Niger State: Claims that three individuals were shot dead in Suleja were found to be unsubstantiated.
- Katsina State: Allegations of a 21-year-old being killed were disproved after local sources confirmed no such incident occurred.
- Kaduna State: Contrary to Amnesty’s report, no protests or police killings were recorded in Kaduna on October 1, 2024. An incident involving the Nigerian Army was identified and investigated.
- Jigawa State: Amnesty reported three deaths, but police findings revealed that only one fatality occurred, caused by protester violence rather than police action.
- Kano State: While Amnesty claimed 12 deaths from police action, investigations found the fatalities resulted from confrontations involving looters and criminals, not the police.
Adejobi criticized Amnesty International’s reporting, calling it sensational and harmful to public trust in law enforcement. “We urge the public to be wary of sensational reports designed to incite mistrust and weaken confidence in law enforcement institutions,” he said.
The police reiterated their commitment to protecting citizens’ rights and ensuring public safety, while calling on international organizations to adhere to standards of accurate and fair reporting.
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