By Abiola Olawale
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has responded to allegations made by Amnesty International in a report titled “Bloody August: Nigeria Government’s Violent Crackdown on #EndBadGovernance Protests.”
According to the police, the claims made by Amnesty International regarding the deaths of 24 individuals during protests in August 2024 are false, misleading, and unverified.
At a news conference in Abuja this Sunday, the Force Public Relations Officer ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi said the NPF conducted independent investigations across the affected states and concluded that the incidents described were either fabricated, inaccurately reported, or resulted from factors unrelated to police action, such as terrorist activities or violence among protesters themselves.
Specifically, Adejobi debunked allegations that police used grenades in Borno state.
He also criticized Amnesty International for relying on what he described as “unverified sources and sensational reporting.”
He emphasized the police Force’s commitment to upholding human rights, ensuring the safety of protesters, and using force only when necessary to prevent violence or destruction, adhering to international standards for managing public protests.
He also maintained that the NPF is demanding a retraction and a public apology from Amnesty International.
It would be recalled that the Amnesty International had in November 2024, released a report titled “Bloody August: Nigeria Government’s Violent Crackdown on #EndBadGovernance Protests,” where several allegations were made against the Nigeria Police, including the alleged killing of at least twenty-four (24) persons in six northern states during the protests.
