Police Dismiss Amnesty Report on #EndBadGovernance Protests

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has dismissed allegations of extrajudicial killings during the #EndBadGovernance protests, as detailed in Amnesty International‘s (AI) recent report. The report, titled “Bloody August: Nigeria Government’s Violent Crackdown on #EndBadGovernance Protests”, claimed that police actions led to at least 24 deaths across six northern states.

In a statement, Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, described the claims as false, misleading, and harmful to the police’s reputation. Adejobi disclosed that a special investigative panel had reviewed the allegations and found them unsubstantiated, contradicting AI’s findings.

Citing specific examples, Adejobi explained that in Borno State, the protests were marred by violence, looting, and destruction of public and private properties. He noted that facilities such as the Skill Acquisition Centre of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees and the World Food Programme’s warehouse in Maiduguri were vandalized and looted by protesters.

Adejobi categorically denied AI’s claim that police threw a grenade into a filling station in Maiduguri, killing three people, describing it as “blatant falsehood” and a violation of international standards for human rights reporting.

Similarly, the Force PRO refuted claims of police killings in other states:

– In Niger State, police investigations debunked allegations of three fatalities in Suleja.

– In Katsina State, the reported killing of a 21-year-old was found to lack any factual basis.

– In Jigawa, Amnesty International’s claim of three deaths was contradicted by evidence showing that only one fatality occurred, caused by protester violence rather than police actions.

Adejobi revealed that the police would formally demand a retraction of the report and a public apology from Amnesty International. He reiterated the NPF’s commitment to fair and transparent practices while urging international agencies to uphold accuracy and objectivity in their reporting.