Police ask Amnesty to apologise, retract #EndBadGovernance protest report

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has demanded a retraction of Amnesty International’s report on the August 2024 #EndBadGovernance Protest report titled “Bloody August: Nigeria Government’s Violent Crackdown on and Bad Governance Protests”.

The publication by Amnesty International alleged that police operatives exercised force against protesters, leading to at least 24 deaths in Borno, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Jigawa and Niger states.

Amnesty noted in the report that the police fired live ammunition at close range, targeting the head or torso of protesters.

“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, the Director of Amnesty International Nigeria.

However, police spokesman, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a statement, said the report included numerous unsubstantiated claims and falsely accused the Nigeria Police of human rights violations, police brutality, and excessive violence during the End Bad Governance protests.

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“Upon careful review and investigation, the NPF categorically rejects these baseless allegations, affirming that the claims are entirely false and without foundation,” he said.

“The NPF 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.”

Adejobi also described the publication as misleading and undermining the trust and confidence the Force has worked to build with Nigerian citizens and residents.

He also demanded an apology from the rights group.

“In light of these falsehoods, the NPF has demanded that Amnesty International issue a formal retraction and public apology within seven days,” he said.