The Nigeria Police Force said it has written to Amnesty International about a publication titled, “Bloody August: Nigeria Government’s Violent Crackdown on and Bad Governance Protests” and requested an immediate retraction and public apology.
ACP Olumiyiwa Adejobi, the Force’s Public Relations Officer, said on Tuesday that the letter was dated January 6, 2025.
According to the police authority, the publication, which contained several unsupported allegations, erroneously blamed the Nigeria Police for disproportionate violence, police brutality, and civil rights breaches during the August 2024 End Bad Governance rallies.
You May Also Like
The statement said, “Upon careful review and investigation, the Police categorically rejects these baseless allegations, affirming that the claims are entirely false and without foundation.
“The Police Authority emphasizes that during the protests, the Police acted with restraint and professionalism, even at the highest point of provocation and violent attacks, adhering to global best practices and using minimal force where necessary.
“Evidence, including national media coverage, demonstrates the Police’s efforts to maintain law and order while safeguarding peaceful protesters. Criminal elements attempting to exploit the protests were however arrested and dealt with according to law.
“The Nigeria Police Force strongly believes that this misleading publication undermines the trust and confidence it has worked diligently to build with Nigerian citizens and residents.
“The Force further underscores that such false claims harm the organisation’s reputation and demoralize its officers who risk their lives to protect the public.
“In light of these falsehoods, the Nigeria Police Force has demanded that Amnesty International issue a formal retraction and public apology within seven days.”
The statement also stated that the Police Authority will think about taking legal measures to safeguard its reputation if Amnesty doesn’t comply.
“The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to its duty of safeguarding the lives and property of Nigerians, upholding the law, and earning the trust of the people it serves,” the statement added.
Amnesty had accused the Nigerian police of using excessive force against protesters during the nationwide #End Bad Governance demonstrations between 1-10 August, killing at least 24 people in the states of: Borno, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Jigawa and Niger.
According to Amnesty International, the victims were shot by police in each case, with officers using live ammunition at close range, frequently at the head or body, implying that the officers were aiming to kill.
The human rights organization said two survivors suffered injuries after being shot by police in the arm and legs, others were suffocated by the indiscriminate use of tear gas.
“People in Nigeria witnessed unbelievable lawlessness as security personnel fired live ammunition at peaceful protests.
“The death toll could be higher than 24 because of the authorities’ desperate efforts to cover up the atrocities.
“Peaceful protest over government policies is now a matter of life and death in Nigeria,” said Isa Sanusi, Director of Amnesty International Nigeria.
Amnesty called on Nigerian authorities to hold the police and other security agencies to account for unleashing deadly force on people who did not constitute an imminent threat to lives.
“Shockingly, police have engaged in flagrant denials of wrongdoing despite public evidence to the contrary, and this speaks to their utter disregard for the sanctity of human lives.
President Bola Tinubu must constitute an independent and impartial investigation of human rights violations during the #End Bad Governance protests.” part of the statement read.
More Stories
Nigerian Civil Society Group Warn Secretive Defamation Ruling Against SERAP Threatens Judicial Transparency
N100m DSS Defamation Judgement: SERAP Appeals, Seeks Stay of Execution
Tragic Shooting at University of Benin: Police Launch Investigation as Governor Condemns Killing
UNIBEN Undergraduate Fatally Shot After Exams at Main Campus Gate
‘Probe N26.9bn USPF Scandal Threatening Digital Access, Rights,’ SERAP Tells Tinubu
