The Nigerian Police Force (NPF) has revealed that the Police withheld certain intelligence during the August 2024 nationwide End Bad Governance protests to maintain national peace.
The police said disclosing such sensitive information at the time could have escalated tensions across the country.
Police spokesman, Prince Muyiwa Adejobi, stated this on Friday during the unveiling of the report “Beyond the Protests: Towards Governance Reforms After #EndBadGovernance” by Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI) in Abuja.
Represented by the Deputy Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), CSP Isuku Victor Edailokun, the police chief stated this while fielding questions from journalists :”If we had let this information out to the public, we would not be having the kind of peace we are having today”
He insisted that the police did not target peaceful protesters during the demonstrations but arrested criminals who engaged in looting, destruction, and other unlawful acts
“Now, like I mentioned, the opportunity was not given for me to say all I wanted to say (at the panel session) I still insist that we did not arrest peaceful protesters as far as the end part governance process was concerned”, he said.
Addressing allegations that underage individuals were arrested and charged with treason, he clarified that under Nigerian law, individuals aged seven and above are criminally liable.
He added that while children can be charged for capital offenses alongside adults, they are exempt from receiving the death penalty.
Adejobi stated that the Attorney General of the Federation had exonerated the police of any wrongdoing in their handling of the protests, saying that their actions were in line with the law and focused on protecting lives and property
“The law is clear. Treason is a capital offense that carries the death penalty, but children will not get the death penalty, even if tried alongside adults. That is what the law says, not what I say,” he noted.
Explaining some event that transpired during the protest, he said security agencies made use of lessons learnt during the EndSARS period to manage the #EndbadGovernance protest.
He said: “Some of the so-called organizers of the protest in Abuja approached us and reported certain actions by specific individuals. Because of this, we couldn’t act on mere hearsay.
“We were waiting for those mentioned individuals to take certain actions to confirm the information we had received. That was why we decided to allow the protest to proceed. However, even after the protest, a lot of new developments unfolded.
“Unfortunately, the way the media handled the situation was inappropriate. For the sake of patriotism, let me clarify: claims that we invaded the Labour house were misleading. The individual we were pursuing is a tenant within the building, not an employee of the Labour office.
“Our focus was on a tenant who was the key suspect, organizer, and financier of the protest, not on the labor office or the floor it occupies”
The Police officer also cautioned Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to adopt conflict-sensitive communication and avoid actions that could destabilize the country.
Speaking at the event, KDI Executive Director Bukola Idowu highlighted the organic nature of protests, describing them as a direct response to government policies or decisions that leave citizens feeling aggrieved.
“Protests are one way people express themselves,” Idowu stated. “While they can bring about change, not all protests lead to violence.
” Our report documents these events to understand their impacts and explore ways to advance the demands raised during protests beyond street demonstrations.”
Idowu added that the evolution of protests, driven by social media, has changed the dynamics of mobilization and advocacy.
“We need to create synergy between online and offline efforts to drive meaningful social change,” he said, noting that upcoming youth conferences would further explore this shift.
Professor Adetunji Ogunyemi, a professor of political and economic history, emphasized the government’s role in ensuring that peaceful protests are not hijacked by hoodlums.
“Most violent protests are instigated by hoodlums,” Ogunyemi explained.
“The government has a duty to prevent violence and provide police monitoring to ensure peaceful demonstrations.”
KDI in the report called on security agencies to adopt less confrontational approaches to handling protests, fostering trust and encouraging dialogue between citizens and the state.
The report highlighted the need for constructive engagement between the government, civil society, and citizens to ensure lasting governance reforms.
It urged the government to prioritize dialogue, implement meaningful reforms, and uphold human rights and democratic principles.
It also callsed on civil society organizations (CSOs) and media outlets to amplify public concerns, promote advocacy, and ensure transparency.
“Civil society organizations should prioritize post-protest engagements to sustain the momentum of movements like #EndBadGovernance and channel their demands into actionable outcomes,” the report stated.
The report further advocated for the establishment of inclusive platforms for citizens, especially marginalized groups, to participate in policy-making processes.
“Protest organizers and movement leaders are encouraged to remain unified and strategic, while influencers and the international community are urged to spread awareness and counter misinformation”.
The report analyzed data from the #EndBadGovernance protests, emphasizing that these movements can serve as a roadmap for civic engagement.
“By addressing challenges holistically and fostering collaboration across sectors, these protests can pave the way for a more inclusive, equitable, and democratic Nigeria,” it noted.
