The Nigeria Police Force has continued to fault Amnesty International’s publication on the role of police during the EndBadGovernance protest that took place across the country last year, thereby demanding a retraction and apology from the international body. The Nigeria Police Authority expressed its dissatisfaction with Amnesty International and demanded a public apology. In a
The Nigeria Police Force has continued to fault Amnesty International’s publication on the role of police during the EndBadGovernance protest that took place across the country last year, thereby demanding a retraction and apology from the international body.
The Nigeria Police Authority expressed its dissatisfaction with Amnesty International and demanded a public apology. In a press release signed by Mr Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the police spokesperson, on Tuesday, it was stated that the publication was full of unsubstantiated claims indicting the Nigeria Police of human rights violations, police brutality, and excessive violence during the protests.
Contrary to what the organisation claimed in its publication “Bloody August: Nigeria Government’s Violent Crackdown on and Bad Governance Protests,” Mr. Adejobi noted that the Nigeria Police demonstrated professionalism during the agitations.
The Nigeria Police further insisted that a report from such an organisation could undermine the trust and confidence it has built with Nigerian citizens and residents.
The statement reads: “The publication in question, which includes numerous unsubstantiated claims, falsely accuses the Nigeria Police of human rights violations, police brutality, and excessive violence during the August 2024 End Bad Governance protests. Upon careful review and investigation, the NPF categorically rejects these baseless allegations, affirming that the claims are entirely false and without foundation.
The NPF emphasises that during the protests, the police acted with restraint and professionalism, even at the highest points of provocation and violent attacks, adhering to global best practices and using minimal force where necessary. Evidence, including national media coverage, demonstrates the Police’s efforts to maintain law and order while safeguarding peaceful protesters. Criminal elements attempting to exploit the protests were, however, arrested and dealt with according to law.
“The Nigeria Police Force strongly believes that this misleading publication undermines the trust and confidence it has worked diligently to build with Nigerian citizens and residents. The Force further underscores that such false claims harm the reputation of the organisation and demoralise its officers, who risk their lives to protect the public.
“In light of these falsehoods, the NPF has demanded that Amnesty International issue a formal retraction and public apology within seven days. Failure to comply will prompt the NPF to consider legal actions to protect its reputation.
“The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to its duty of safeguarding the lives and property of Nigerians, upholding the law, and earning the trust of the people it serves.”.
In its report, Amnesty, following the EndBadGovernance protest in August last year, where Nigerians protested against economic hardships and the high cost of living in the country, accused the Nigeria Police Force of using excessive force against the protesters.
The human rights organisation also insisted that the protest, which started peacefully but quickly turned violent, showed the lawlessness of security personnel who shot at peaceful protesters, leading to casualties.
Amnesty thus called on the Nigerian government to hold the police and other security agencies accountable for the show of force against people who did not pose any threats to lives.
Although the police have denied any wrongdoing, the human rights organisation urged President Bola Tinubu to create an independent and impartial investigation into the roles played by the police during the protests.
ReplyForward
Leave a Comment
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked with *