The Nigeria Police Force has dismissed allegations made by Amnesty International in its report, "Bloody August: Nigeria Government’s Violent Crackdown on #EndBadGovernance Protests," as false, misleading, and damaging to the Force's image.
The report, released on November 28, 2024, accused the police of extrajudicial killings during the August 1-10 protests, alleging the deaths of 24 people in six northern states. However, Force spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi stated during a press briefing on Sunday that the allegations were unsubstantiated following investigations by a special panel and state Commissioners of Police.
Police's Response to Amnesty International's Claims:
- Retraction and Apology:
The Force plans to write to Amnesty International, demanding a retraction of the report and a public apology for the alleged inaccuracies. Adejobi urged the organization to ensure accurate reporting, emphasizing that sensationalism undermines public trust in law enforcement. - State-Specific Findings:
- Borno State: The report's claim that police threw a grenade into a filling station, killing three people, was debunked. Investigations revealed violent looting and vandalism by protesters, including attacks on UN and World Food Programme facilities.
- Niger State: Allegations of three fatalities in Suleja were refuted as unsubstantiated.
- Katsina State: The alleged killing of a 21-year-old was disproven by local sources.
- Kaduna State: Contrary to claims, no protests occurred on October 1, 2024, and no police killings were recorded. Instead, an incident involving the Nigerian Army was identified.
- Jigawa State: Amnesty International reported three deaths, but police investigations revealed no such killings. The lone fatality resulted from protester violence.
- Kano State: The alleged 12 deaths due to police action were attributed to violent confrontations involving looters and criminals, not police activity.
Adejobi emphasized that the Nigeria Police Force remains committed to protecting citizens' rights and ensuring national stability. He called on the public to critically evaluate reports aimed at inciting distrust in law enforcement agencies.
The Force reiterated its resolve to counter misinformation and uphold its mandate to maintain peace and security across the nation.
