In a statement by the Force spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on Tuesday, the police said that they had officially written Amnesty International to retract report accusing police of deploying excessive force and human rights abuse during the August nationwide protests.
Mr Adejobi said, “The Nigeria Police Force has demanded an immediate retraction and public apology regarding a publication titled “Bloody August: Nigeria Government’s Violent Crackdown on #EndBadGovernance Protests” via a letter dated January 6, 2025, formally written to Amnesty International. In light of these falsehoods, the NPF has demanded that Amnesty International issues 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 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.”
Though video evidence showed police brutalising and shooting live bullets at protesters and journalists during the protests, Mr Adejobi said “the police acted with restraint and professionalism, even at the highest point 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.’’
