• Nigerian police have refuted Amnesty International’s allegations that force was excessive during #EndBadGovernance protests.
• ACP Adejobi confirmed that police respected the rules of engagement, using tear gas but not live ammunition
• IGP Egbetokun ordered investigation and directed state commissioners to submit reports to ensure due process

The Nigerian Police have refuted the allegations made by International amnesty regarding his conduct during the #EndBadGovernance protests held between August 1 and 10, 2024.

Amnesty International’s 34-page report says at least 24 people were killed and more than 1,200 detained, amid excessive use of force by police.

However, as The Punch reports, police have called the allegations “baseless, misleading and inconsistent with incident reports submitted to the Inspector General of Police.”

ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Force Public Relations Officer, in a shared statement via (formerly known as Twitter), stressed that police had respected established rules of engagement throughout the protests.

Read also

Police respond as video showing uniformed men collecting fuel from crashed fuel truck goes viral

“The Inspector General, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, issued clear directives to ensure that weapons were only used when protests escalated into violence, and even then, engagement was limited to specialized armed units,” he said. Adejobi said.

Police clarify incidents and use of force

Adejobi stressed that several tragic incidents during the protests were not caused by police actions.

“In Borno State, four people lost their lives and 34 others were injured following an attack by suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP members who infiltrated the protest and detonated an IED,” he explained.

Additionally, he noted an unrelated accident in which an unregistered vehicle crashed into protesters, killing two people.

THE police also responded to allegations regarding the use of live ammunition, emphasizing that police officers did not use such force during the protests.

“The reports of shooting deaths were not due to police action,” Adejobi said.

Instead, he pointed out that police used tear gas at strategic moments, complying with international crowd control standards and avoiding live fire.

Read also

Major reshuffle in police as IGP orders massive overhaul of Kebbi State CID and reassignment of officers

Arrests and government response

Police noted that arrests during the protests targeted individuals committing crimes such as vandalism, arson and looting.

“All detainees were treated in accordance with the law,” Adejobi added.

THE federal government also pardoned those arrested, demonstrating its commitment to reconciliation.

Police call for investigation

In response to the Amnesty International report, IGP Egbetokun ordered a thorough investigation to look into the allegations and ensure compliance with standard operating procedures.

State commissioners have been directed to submit detailed accounts within a week.

State Police: Femi Falana sends message to Tinubu

Earlier, Legitime.ng reported that the state police debate continued to dominate discussions within the political system, and Femi Falana decided to make its position known.

The legal luminary, however, warned against this idea, while pointing out that it would be used by some state governors against the will of their people.

Read also

DSS takes action against #Endbadgovernance protester following torture allegations

Falana pointed to other security services that could replace the state police in interior states. Nigeriaas he stressed that people needed to be reassured before the move was implemented.

Source: Legit.ng