The Nigeria Police Force has refuted a report by Amnesty International accusing security forces of using excessive force during the #EndBadGovernance protests in August, which allegedly resulted in 24 deaths and the detention of over 100 people, including minors.
Amnesty International’s report, titled “Bloody August: Nigeria Government’s Violent Crackdown on #EndBadGovernance Protests,” was released on November 28, 2024, but the police have dismissed the claims as inaccurate.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, told reporters that the police’s official records, documenting incidents of violence during the protests across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), contradicted the allegations made by Amnesty International.
These records are accessible at the Department of Operations and the Department of Research and Planning of the Nigeria Police Force, Adejobi explained.
“It is surprising to see such unfounded claims in Amnesty International’s report, which contradict the actual records from the protests,” Adejobi said.
He added that the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, had ordered a comprehensive investigation into the allegations, with a special panel set up to examine the claims and a deadline for submitting findings.
Commissioners of Police in the states mentioned in the report have also been tasked with verifying the allegations.
Adejobi went on to deny accusations of excessive use of force by the police, emphasizing that there was no credible evidence to support the claims of killings or police brutality.
He explained that while the police were deployed to maintain order and protect citizens during the protests, they acted in accordance with legal guidelines.
Adejobi stated that police officers used minimum force, without firearms, to address disruptions caused by elements attempting to hijack the protests.
He further clarified that arrests and detentions were conducted lawfully, and claims of arbitrary detentions or mistreatment had no basis in fact.
The Nigeria Police Force also indicated that they would soon issue a formal request to Amnesty International for a retraction of the report and a public apology.
Adejobi urged the public to be cautious of reports that could undermine trust in law enforcement and cause unnecessary divisions in society.
