December 02, (THEWILL) – Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has directed an investigation into Amnesty International’s allegations of police brutality during the #EndBadGovernance protests held across Nigeria in August.
The global human rights organization had accused the police of excessive force, alleging that at least 24 individuals, including two children, were killed in states such as Borno, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Jigawa, and Niger.
Responding in a statement issued on Monday by Force Public Relations Officer ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the IGP dismissed Amnesty’s claims as “unfounded, misleading, and inconsistent with reports submitted by affected state commands.”
The police spokesperson emphasised that officers adhered to established rules of engagement during the protests, which included providing security for peaceful demonstrators.
The statement read,“The Nigeria Police Force expresses serious concern regarding the recent 34-page report by Amnesty International. The report alleges police culpability in deaths and arrests during the #EndBadGovernance protests.
“The Force categorically refutes these allegations. The Inspector-General issued clear directives emphasizing non-lethal engagement, with armed response limited strictly to situations involving riots with threats to lives and property.”
Highlighting documented incidents, the statement disclosed that in Borno State, four individuals died and 34 were injured after suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP operatives infiltrated the protests and detonated an explosive device. Similarly, an unregistered vehicle in another incident ran into demonstrators, killing two people.
The Force clarified that these fatalities were unrelated to police actions. Instead, officers employed non-lethal measures such as tear gas to disperse unruly crowds, particularly in Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa, and Niger States, where some demonstrators destroyed property and attacked police personnel.
*“The use of tear gas is a globally accepted practice for crowd control. It was applied judiciously, without resorting to live ammunition. Officers exhibited professionalism and restraint, even under provocation,”* the statement added.
The police confirmed arrests during the protests but clarified they were targeted at individuals involved in criminal acts, including vandalism, arson, and treason.
Despite the offenses, the Federal Government reportedly granted amnesty to detainees as part of efforts to foster national unity.
In response to Amnesty International’s report, the IGP has ordered a comprehensive probe, instructing state police commissioners to submit detailed incident reports within a week.
“This directive aims to identify any deviations from established rules of engagement and hold any culpable officers accountable,”the statement concluded.
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