The Nigeria Police Force has called on Amnesty International to publicly retract and apologize for allegations that the police killed 24 protesters during the #EndBadGovernance protests in August 2024.
An investigation ordered by Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun found that deaths reported in Borno, Niger, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, and Kaduna states were not linked to police actions. According to the findings, as presented by Force Public Relations Officer ACP Muyiwa Adejobi.
The fatalities were attributed to incidents involving improvised explosive devices (IEDs) planted by terrorists, clashes with looters, and a military warning shot, among other causes.
ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, while reading the statement of the press conference tittled “The Report of Investigation into Amnesty International Claims on August 2024”, criticized Amnesty International for publishing what the police described as unfounded accusations.
Key Findings by the Police Investigation:
Borno State:
Deaths of three fuel station attendants were caused by an IED planted at the station, not by police actions.
Protesters engaged in violent looting and destruction, including vandalizing a UNHCR Skill Acquisition Centre and a World Food Programme warehouse.
Three IED explosions were recorded at separate locations during the protests.
Niger State:
Claims that three individuals were killed by police in Suleja were found to be false. Verified reports confirmed no fatalities caused by police actions in the area.
Katsina State:
Allegations of a police killing of a 21-year-old man were debunked, with no evidence of such an incident in community or police records.
Kaduna State:
Amnesty International claimed a 24-year-old tailor was shot dead by police. However, records show the individual was accidentally killed by a military warning shot during a riot in Zaria.
Jigawa State:
Allegations of police shooting two women and one man were disproven. One death was found to have resulted from injuries caused by violent protesters.
Kano State:
Amnesty International reported 12 deaths attributed to police actions. Investigations revealed that the fatalities were caused by property owners defending against looters and criminal elements exploiting the protests.
Police Response:
The NPF reiterated that it does not possess or use explosive hand grenades in its operations, contrary to claims made in Amnesty International’s report. It also highlighted that its officers adhered to international standards of protest management, ensuring minimum use of force and protecting protesters’ rights.
The police accused Amnesty International of basing its report on unverified information and failing to corroborate its claims with local authorities. The NPF emphasized its commitment to professionalism, human rights, and rule of law during the protests.
Demands and Warnings:
The NPF called on Amnesty International to retract the report and issue a public apology, warning against sensationalism that could incite public mistrust in law enforcement. The police reaffirmed their dedication to protecting citizens while ensuring national security and stability.
The public has been urged to approach such reports critically and rely on verified information.