#Endbadgovernance protest: Nigeria Police asks Amnesty to retract report, apologize
IGP Kayode Egbetokun
Published By: Ayorinde Oluokun
By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja
The Nigeria Police Force said it has written to demand an immediate retraction and public apology from Amnesty International over what it described as unsubstantiated claims, falsely accusing it of human rights violations, brutality, and excessive violence during the August 2024 #EndBadGovernance protests.
Force’s Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumiyiwa Adejobi, said the letter to Amnesty International was dated 6th January 2025 in a statement on Tuesday.
The Police spokesperson said in the publication titled “Bloody August: Nigeria Government’s Violent Crackdown on and Bad Governance Protests,” Amnesty International made numerous unsubstantiated claims, which, “Upon careful review and investigation …are entirely false and without foundation.”
“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.
“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.
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“The Force further underscores that such false claims harm the reputation of the organization and demoralize its officers who risk their lives to protect the public.
“In light of these falsehoods, the NPF has demanded that Amnesty International issue a formal retraction and public apology within seven days.”
Police in the statement added that failure of Amnesty to comply will prompt it to consider legal actions to protect its reputation.
“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.
Recall that Amnesty International had alleged that police operatives used excessive force against protesters during the nationwide #Endbadgovernance demonstrations held between 1-10 August across Nigeria.
Amnesty International claimed at least 24 people were extra judicially killed in Borno, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Jigawa and Niger states during the #endbadgovernance protests.
