The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has expressed displeasure over claims on #EndBadGovernance protests by the Amnesty International.
The police said the recent 34-page report released by Amnesty International, which alleges police culpability in the deaths and arrests of protesters, and the use of excessive force during the #EndBadGovernance protests in August 2024 are false.
The Force refuted the allegations as unfounded, misleading, and inconsistent with incident reports submitted to the office of the Inspector-General of Police by affected Commands.
Police reiterated that throughout the protests, it operated in compliance with established rules of engagement, including providing security for peaceful protesters.
Recall the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, issued directives to all Commissioners of Police on managing the protests, emphasizing that officers should not deploy arms to manage protests.
He said that arms were only to be used when protests escalated into riots involving loss of lives and damage to property.
According to a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi: “Even then, engagement with armed protesters was limited strictly to specialised armed units to restore order.
Adejobi said the arrests made during the protests targeted individuals engaging in criminal acts such as treason, vandalism, robbery, arson, and looting.
He said the arrests were conducted lawfully, and those detained were treated within the ambit of the law.
In response to Amnesty International’s allegations, the IGP has directed a comprehensive investigation into the claims.
Egbetokun has also directed Commissioners of Police in the affected states to submit further detailed reports on the incidents within one week.
This directive, he said aims to identify any deviation from the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and rules of engagement, irrespective of the security agencies involved.
