The Nigeria Police Force has faulted the claims by Amnesty International on alleged claims that the Nigeria Police is involved in the killing of, at least, 24 persons in six northern states during the Nationwide endbadgovernment protests in August.
In its 28th of November 2024, report titled “Bloody August: Nigeria Government’s Violent Crackdown on #EndBadGovernance Protests,” alleged that the Nigeria Police, involved in the killing of at least 24 persons in six northern states during the protests.
Briefing Journalists on Sunday at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, the Force Public Relations Office, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi noted that this report was at variance with the records available to the Nigeria Police.
ACP Adejobi pointed out that all recorded incidents of violence during the protests were documented by the Police in all 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
“These records are available at both the Department of Operations and the Department of Research and Planning of the Nigeria Police Force. It is, therefore, surprising to see in Amnesty International’s report such unfounded claims that contradicted what was actually recorded during the protests.”
The Force spokesman noted that notwithstanding, the Inspector-General of Police, in response to the allegations contained in the report, directed a comprehensive and independent investigation into these claims.
He explained that to this end, a special investigation panel was immediately constituted and given a deadline to submit its findings. The IGP also mandated Commissioners of Police in the states mentioned in the report to verify the allegations as they pertain to their states and to submit additional reports on the incidents.
ACP Adejobi revealed also that following these directives, the Commissioners of Police in the affected states conducted extensive inquiries in their localities and submitted their findings to the Inspector-General of Police. Copies of these findings were sent to the special investigation panel.
“Furthermore, members of the panel visited the affected states and areas mentioned in the report, compiling their findings in a comprehensive document submitted to the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun.
“The report released by Amnesty International on the End Bad Governance Protest in Nigeria, is inaccurate and misleading. All international organizations that are independent of political and economic interest are required by ethical and international best practices to demonstrate objectivity, fairness and balance in their reportage. Unfortunately, these qualities were missing in the Amnesty International report.
“The Nigeria Police Force in this present dispensation under the leadership of IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun has demonstrated high level of professionalism in Public Order Management across the Country. Our Standard operating procedure with respect to peaceful public protest, is to provide security for peaceful protesters to conduct their protest unmolested by opposing group, miscreants and criminal elements.
“Most importantly, our commitment is to ensure that peaceful protests do not turn violent or endanger the lives and properties of other law-abiding citizens. Where Protesters begin to loot, burn, pillage property and kill innocent citizen including Law Enforcement Agents, the Police are duty bound to halt the drift into anarchy using minimum force.
“The decision by the United Nations Human Rights Council, has been the gold standard for the Nigeria Police Force and our established protocols which we have followed diligently is to provide adequately for the security and safety of protesters by ensuring that criminal elements and hoodlums do not take undue advantage to cause total breakdown of law and order.
“The use of force on Protesters is prohibited under the protocols except when necessary to protect lives and prevent the destruction of property. This was the protocol adopted during the “End Bad Governance Protest” as, Police commands across the nation were specifically directed to protect lives and properties of citizens during the protest.
“Amnesty International is advised to have retrospection on its frequently false reporting on Nigerian’s Law Enforcement activities and reflect on its reporting methodology, by ensuring that its reports are accurate and contains true and fair expression of events that touches on National Security and safety of all Nigerians.
“Accurate reporting of facts is key to the integrity and character of every International Organisation and Amnesty International should not be an exception.”
The Force PRO therefore disclosed that the Nigeria Police Force will in due time be writing the Amnesty International to demand for a retraction of this report from the public space and with a public apology.
“The Nigeria Police Force remains resolute in protecting the rights of all citizens while ensuring the security and stability of the nation. We therefore urge the public to be wary of sensational reports designed to incite mistrust and weaken confidence in law enforcement institutions.”
Discover more from The Source
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
