The Nigeria Police Force has firmly denied the allegations presented in a recent report by Amnesty International, labeling the claims as false, misleading, and damaging to the reputation of the police authority.
The report, released on November 28, 2024, accused the police of engaging in extrajudicial killings during protests, citing that at least 24 individuals lost their lives across six northern states. Titled “Bloody August: Nigeria Government’s Violent Crackdown on #EndBadGovernance Protests,” the police have countered these assertions, declaring their findings to be at odds with the allegations made.
During a press briefing on Sunday, Force Spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi announced the formation of a special investigative panel aimed at verifying the claims made by Amnesty International. This panel, in conjunction with commissioners of police from the affected states, conducted thorough investigations and produced a detailed report that highlighted the inaccuracies within Amnesty International’s report.
Adejobi stated, “Amnesty International is urged to reconsider its pattern of incorrect reporting concerning Nigeria’s law enforcement and to ensure that its publications reflect accurate and fair representations of events that impact national security and public safety.” He emphasized the necessity of factual reporting for the credibility of any international organization, including Amnesty International.
Furthermore, Adejobi indicated that the police plan to formally demand a retraction of the report along with a public apology for its alleged inaccuracies. “The Nigeria Police Force intends to reach out to demand the withdrawal of this report from public circulation, coupled with a public apology. We remain dedicated to upholding the rights of all citizens while ensuring security and stability within the nation. We therefore encourage the public to be cautious of sensational reports that could incite distrust and undermine confidence in law enforcement agencies,” he affirmed.
In Borno State, Adejobi disproved claims that the police utilized grenades, asserting that investigations revealed the protesters were violent, engaging in significant looting and destruction of both public and private property. Notable incidents included the vandalism of a Skill Acquisition Centre associated with the UN High Commission for Refugees and the looting of a World Food Programme warehouse.
“Claims that police hurled a hand grenade from a convoy, resulting in the deaths of three individuals, are unequivocally false and disheartening, particularly coming from an international agency entrusted with the fair reporting of human rights violations,” he remarked.
In Niger State, police findings refuted allegations of three fatalities in Suleja. Similarly, the supposed killing of a 21-year-old in Katsina was also deemed unsubstantiated based on local sources. Adejobi clarified that no protests occurred in Kaduna on October 1, 2024, countering claims of police killings, and noted that a separate incident involving the Nigerian Army was investigated.
Moreover, concerning reports of deaths during protests in Jigawa, the police found no evidence supporting Amnesty International’s claims, indicating that any fatalities resulted from protester violence rather than police intervention. Lastly, in Kano State, while Amnesty International reported 12 deaths attributed to police actions, investigations revealed that these fatalities stemmed from violent encounters involving looters and criminals, not police activities.
