The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has rejected a report by Amnesty International alleging police misconduct during the #EndBadGovernance protests in August 2024.
The 34-page document accused the police of excessive force, wrongful arrests, and culpability in the deaths of protesters.
In response, the police in a statement by Olumuyiwa Adejobi labelled the claims as “falsified, confusing, and inconsistent with official incident reports.”
Adejobi emphasised police adherence to established rules of engagement during the protests.
According to the statement, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, had instructed police commands nationwide to manage the protests peacefully, barring the use of live ammunition unless the situation escalated into severe riots.
He provided specific accounts of violent incidents during the protests to refute Amnesty’s claims.
“In Borno State, for instance, an attack by suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP operatives resulted in four deaths and 34 injuries after an improvised explosive device (IED) was detonated amid the protesters.
“Separately, in another incident, two fatalities were recorded when an unregistered vehicle rammed into demonstrators. These deaths, the police clarified, were not attributable to law enforcement actions.”
He said additional unrest was reported in Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa, Nasarawa, and Niger States, where protesters allegedly vandalized property, displayed foreign flags, and attacked security personnel.
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He added that in such situations, the police resorted to using tear gas—a globally accepted crowd-control measure—to disperse unruly gatherings without firing live ammunition.
Olumuyiwa said during the protests, arrests were made targeting individuals involved in treason, arson, looting, and other criminal activities.
He said the police insisted that those detained were treated under the law.
:In a reconciliatory gesture, the Federal Government later pardoned all arrested individuals, highlighting its commitment to national unity.”
In response to Amnesty International’s report, he noted that the IGP has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the allegations.
He said Commissioners of Police from the affected states are required to submit detailed reports within a week to determine any deviations from standard procedures.
He expressed that the police reaffirmed its dedication to safeguarding citizens’ rights and improving operational standards through objective evaluations.
“The police called for constructive engagement, urging all stakeholders to avoid spreading misinformation that could undermine the Force’s efforts to ensure public safety and uphold the rule of law.”
