The police authorities on Sunday dismissed allegations of extrajudicial killings during the #EndBadGovernance protests.
Addressing journalists in Abuja, the Force spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, rejected the claims made in Amnesty International’s report of November28, describing them as false, misleading, and damaging to the reputation of the police.
Amnesty International had accused the police of harming unarmed protesters and claimed that at least 24 individuals were killed in six northern states.
In response, Mr Adejobi announced that the Force had established a Special Investigative Panel to thoroughly examine the allegations.
“These allegations are not only false and misleading but are also a deliberate attempt to incite the public against the police and tarnish the image of the Nigeria Police Force in the eyes of the international community,” he stated.
“The Nigeria Police Force categorically denies the allegations of excessive use of force as claimed by Amnesty International. These claims are baseless, misleading, and an unfair misrepresentation of the actions and conduct of our officers.”
Addressing specific incidents cited in the report, Mr Adejobi said police investigations contradicted Amnesty International’s assertions. He clarified that officers did not use grenades in Borno State, as alleged.
He also refuted claims that three individuals were shot dead in the Suleja area of Niger State and dismissed the reported killing of a 21-year-old in Katsina, noting that local sources confirmed no such incident occurred.
Mr Adejobi emphasised that the Nigeria Police Force operates with the highest professional standards and remains committed to upholding human rights and the rule of law. He further stated that officers assigned to manage protests undergo regular training to ensure adherence to international human rights protocols.
“The Nigeria Police Force will, in due course, be writing to Amnesty International to demand a retraction of this report from the public domain, accompanied by a public apology,” he added.
“The Nigeria Police Force remains steadfast in protecting the rights of all citizens while ensuring the security and stability of the nation.
“We therefore urge the public to be cautious of sensational reports designed to foster mistrust and undermine confidence in law enforcement institutions,” Mr Adejobi concluded.
