The Nigeria Police Force has faulted the recent 34-page report released by Amnesty International which accused the police of culpability in the use of excessive force during the #EndBadGovernance protests last August, leading to the deaths and injuries of the protesters.
Addressing newsmen in Abuja, the Force Public Relations Officer, FPRO, Olumuyiwa Adejobi’ stated that the report looked confusing and misleading.
Mr Adejobi said that consequently the Inspector General of Police, IGP’, Olukayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has directed a thorough investigation into the report.
He, however, explained that a pocket of incidents was recorded in some states during the protest which led to the death and injury of some of the protesters.
According to him, these deaths were not caused by police actions or inactions.
“For example, in Borno State, 4 individuals tragically lost their lives, and 34 others sustained severe injuries following an attack by suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP operatives who infiltrated the protest and detonated an improvised explosive device (IED).
“Similarly, in another isolated incident, an unregistered vehicle rammed into protesters, resulting in 2 fatalities.
“These events, which accounted for a total of 7 recorded deaths during the protests, were not caused by police actions.
“Furthermore, in Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa, Nasarawa, and Niger States, some protesters displayed foreign flags, destroyed public and private property, and attacked police personnel deployed to ensure their safety.
“The Police Force had to employ strategic measures, including the lawful use of tear gas, to prevent further escalation and ensure public safety.
“The use of tear gas is a globally accepted practice for dispersing unruly crowds and was applied judiciously without recourse to live ammunition.”
Mr Adejobi explained that it was important to state that the police did not fire live ammunition nor cause the death of any protester.
“Police personnel demonstrated professionalism, restraint, and adherence to constitutional and international standards, even when subjected to attacks and injuries.
“Arrests made during the protests targeted individuals engaging in criminal acts such as treason, vandalism, robbery, arson, and looting.
“These arrests were conducted lawfully, and those detained were treated within the ambit of the law,” he stressed.
