Amnesty International report on protest not accurate, says NPF
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has issued a statement challenging a recent report by Amnesty International, alleging that thirteen individuals have died due to protests that began on August 1, 2024. Amnesty International claims security personnel used lethal force against protesters.
Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a statement on Saturday, provided an official account of incidents from the first two days of protests, countering the report.
According to the police, four individuals died, and 34 were injured in Borno State following a terrorist attack by suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP elements who detonated an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) among the protesters.
In a separate incident, two civilians died after being struck by an unregistered Honda Prelude car, whose driver fled the scene. “The vehicle has been recovered, and efforts are underway to apprehend the driver,” the statement read.
In Yauri, Kebbi State, a local vigilante killed a looter during a shop robbery. The Kebbi State Commissioner of Police is investigating this incident, bringing the official death toll during the protests to seven.
The police reported no other fatalities related to the protests. However, incidents of armed robbery, arson, looting, and destruction of property were recorded, with arrests totallying 681 individuals for the various criminal activities.
Emphasizing their professional conduct, noting that they used teargas rather than lethal force to manage the riotous crowds, the statement added that 9 police officers sustained injuries during the protests, with one fatally.
The statement further urged law-abiding citizens to withdraw from the protests due to escalating violence. The police reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining law and order and advised the public to ignore misleading reports about the protests.
Stating that the strategic efforts by the police and other security agencies have been effective in reducing violence and restoring order, the NPF restated its dedication to ensuring the safety and security of all citizens at all times.
