The Nigeria Police Force has strongly refuted allegations of extrajudicial killings made by Amnesty International in a report titled “Bloody August: Nigeria Government’s Violent Crackdown on #EndBadGovernance Protests.”
Amnesty’s report, dated November 28, 2024, accused the police of killing 24 protesters in six northern states. However, the Force has described the claims as “false, misleading, and damaging to the image of the Nigeria Police.”
Force Spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi addressed the allegations during a press briefing on Sunday, where he announced the findings of a special investigative panel set up to verify the claims.
“The investigative panel, working closely with commissioners of police from the affected states, conducted extensive investigations and found significant inaccuracies in Amnesty International’s report,” Adejobi stated.
He criticized the human rights organization for what he termed as “frequent false reporting,” urging it to ensure its reports are accurate and fair.
“Amnesty International is advised to reflect on its reporting practices to maintain credibility as an international organization,” he said.
Adejobi revealed that the police would officially demand a retraction and public apology from Amnesty International. “We will write to request the removal of this report from the public domain and demand a public apology. The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to protecting citizens’ rights and ensuring national security,” he affirmed.
In Borno State, Amnesty International alleged that police used a hand grenade during the protests, killing three people. However, Adejobi dismissed the claim, stating, “The report is a blatant falsehood.
“Our findings showed that the protesters were violent, looting public and private property, including the United Nations High Commission for Refugees’ Skill Acquisition Centre and the World Food Programme’s warehouse in Maiduguri.”
He further emphasized, “At no point did the police throw grenades or engage in actions claimed by Amnesty International.”
In Niger State, Amnesty’s claim that three individuals were killed in Suleja was also disproven. “Our investigations found no evidence to support these allegations,” Adejobi said.
Similarly, in Katsina, the police dismissed reports of a 21-year-old being killed, citing confirmation from local sources that no such incident occurred.
Regarding Kaduna, Adejobi stated, “There were no protests or police killings in Kaduna on October 1, 2024, as alleged. Instead, an incident involving the Nigerian Army was investigated openly.”
In Jigawa, where Amnesty claimed two women and a man were killed, Adejobi clarified, “Our findings revealed no such deaths. The lone fatality was the result of protester violence, not police action.”
Lastly, in Kano, where the report alleged 12 deaths, Adejobi noted, “Investigations confirmed these deaths were linked to violent confrontations among looters and criminals, not police actions.”
Adejobi urged Nigerians to remain cautious of reports aimed at undermining law enforcement institutions. “Sensational and inaccurate reports can incite mistrust and weaken public confidence in security agencies. We urge the public to rely on verified information,” he advised.