Police debunks Amnesty International’s allegations over #EndBadGovernance protests

Abdullateef Fowewe

The Nigeria Police Force has debunked claims by Amnesty International, alleging police culpability in the deaths and arrests of protesters, and the use of excessive force during the #EndBadGovernance protests in August 2024.

The Force in a statement on Monday by its Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, described the allegations as unfounded, misleading, and inconsistent with incident reports submitted to the office of the Inspector-General of Police by affected Commands.

Adejobi emphasised that throughout the protests, it operated in compliance with established rules of engagement, including providing security for peaceful protesters.

Adejobi writes, “The Nigeria Police Force has expressed serious concern regarding a recent 34-page report released by Amnesty International, which alleges police culpability in the deaths and arrests of protesters, and the use of excessive force during the #EndBadGovernance protests in August 2024. The Force categorically refutes these allegations as unfounded, misleading, and inconsistent with incident reports submitted to the office of the Inspector-General of Police by affected Commands.

“The Force wishes to reiterate that throughout the protests, it operated in compliance with established rules of engagement, including providing security for peaceful protesters. The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D, NPM, had issued clear directives to all Commissioners of Police on managing the protests, emphasizing that officers should not deploy arms to manage protests. Instead, arms were only to be used when protests escalated into riots involving loss of lives and damage to property. Even then, engagement with armed protesters was limited strictly to specialized armed units to restore order.

“The Nigeria Police Force recorded several unpalatable incidents during the protests, which were accurately documented and publicly shared.

“It is important to state that the police did not fire live ammunition nor cause the death of any protester. Officers demonstrated professionalism, restraint, and adherence to constitutional and international standards, even when subjected to attacks and injuries. Arrests made during the protests targeted individuals engaging in criminal acts such as treason, vandalism, robbery, arson, and looting. These arrests were conducted lawfully, and those detained were treated within the ambit of the law.

“In a gesture of magnanimity, the Federal Government has since granted pardon to the individuals arrested during the protests despite the severity of their offenses, evidencing its commitment to reconciliation and national unity.”