Nationwide Protest: NPF Cautions Amnesty International Over Fake Casualty Figure

By Ayodele Oni

The Nigeria Police Force, (NPF), has cautioned Amnesty International, (AI) over release of unconfirmed figure of casualties in the ongoing nationwide protest.

Force spokesman, Olumuyiwa Adejobi also accused the international agency of blaming security agents for the death of some of the protesters.

In a statement, Adejobi stated that

“The Nigeria Police Force finds it necessary to refute a recent report publicized by Amnesty International, which claims that 13 individuals have lost their lives due to the protests in Nigeria that began on 1st August 2024.

“Amnesty International further alleges that security personnel deliberately employed tactics designed to kill while managing gatherings and used firearms as a tactical tool for protest management.

“The Nigeria Police Force wishes to provide an accurate account of incidents from the first two days of the nationwide protests.

“In Borno State, four  individuals lost their lives and thirty-four  were severely injured in a terrorist attack by suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP elements who infiltrated the crowd of protesters and detonated an Improvised Explosive Device (IED).

“Additionally, an incident occurred involving an unregistered Honda Prelude car that ran into the protesters, resulting in the deaths of two  civilians.

“The driver abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene. Although the vehicle was vandalized after the incident, it has been recovered and is currently in police custody.

Efforts are ongoing to trace the driver and bring him to justice.

“There was another incident reported in Yauri, in Yauri Local Government Area of Kebbi State where a group of individuals mobilized to loot a shop.

“In the process, a local vigilante man shot and killed one of the looters. The Commissioner of Police in charge of Kebbi State is currently investigating the incident.

This brings the total number of deaths recorded during the protests to seven.

“It is important to state that there were no other recorded fatalities during the protests apart from those mentioned above.

“However, incidences of armed robbery, arson, mischief, looting of public institutions and private businesses, destructions of both public and private property were recorded during the protest.

“Arrests were made with respect to these criminal incidences and a number of recoveries made from the suspects while the protest was going on.

“The Nigeria Police personnel deployed to manage the protests have acted professionally, refraining from using lethal weapons.

“In instances where protesters became riotous, the police employed teargas to disperse them. Even when our officers on lawful duty were attacked and injured, the police effected arrests using only teargas, demonstrating utmost restraint.

“In an effort to combat the trend of crimes and criminality, the police have arrested a total of 681 individuals who committed various criminal offenses such as armed robbery, arson, mischief, and destructions of both public and private property.

“Dangerous weapons, including two  AK-47 rifles and assorted live ammunition, were recovered from the so-called protesters.

“Additionally, stolen items such as furniture, electronics, phones, other various shop items, and vital infrastructures worth billions of naira were recovered from the arrested persons.

“Contrary to circulating news, organizers of the protest or protesters were not arrested. Those in police custody are under investigation for clear connections to criminal activities.

“Furthermore, nine police officers sustained various degrees of injuries during attacks by protesters. One of them who initially was reported dead, miraculously survived but remains in critical condition.”