#EndBadGovernance: IGP Launches Probe Into Amnesty’s Claims of Police Involvement in Protester Deaths, Arrests

The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun has ordered an investigation into allegation of the Nigerian Police Force’s culpability in the deaths and arrests of protesters during the August End Bad Governance nationwide protest.

Amnesty had in a briefing published a few days ago, accused NPF of “using excessive force against protesters during the nationwide #Endbadgovernance demonstrations between 1-10 August, killing at least 24 people in the states of: Borno, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Jigawa and Niger.”

In the briefing titled “Bloody August: Nigerian Government’s Violent Crackdown on #Endbadgovernance Protests”, Amnesty said those killed included 20 young people, an older person and two children.

“The Nigerian authorities must hold the police and other security agencies to account for unleashing deadly force on people who did not constitute an imminent threat to lives. It is shocking that police have engaged in flagrant denials of wrongdoing despite public evidence to the contrary, and this speaks to their utter disregard for the sanctity of human lives. President Bola Tinubu must constitute an independent and impartial investigation of human rights violations during the #Endbadgovernance protests.”

Responding in a press release by NPF’s Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumiyiwa Adejobi in Abuja on Monday, said the allegations appeared “falsified and confusing”, adding that Egbetokun had ordered an investigation into the matter.

“The Nigeria Police Force has expressed serious concern regarding a recent 34-page report released by Amnesty International, which alleges police culpability in the deaths and arrests of protesters, and the use of excessive force during the #EndBadGovernance protests in August 2024.

“The Force categorically refutes these allegations as unfounded, misleading, and inconsistent with incident reports submitted to the office of the Inspector-General of Police by affected Commands.

“The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D, NPM, had issued clear directives to all Commissioners of Police on managing the protests, emphasizing that officers should not deploy arms to manage protests. Instead, arms were only to be used when protests escalated into riots involving loss of lives and damage to property.

“It is important to state that the police did not fire live ammunition nor cause the death of any protester. Officers demonstrated professionalism, restraint, and adherence to constitutional and international standards, even when subjected to attacks and injuries.

“In response to Amnesty International’s allegations, the IGP has directed a comprehensive investigation into the claims.

“The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to safeguarding the fundamental rights of all citizens, promoting the rule of law, and improving its operational standards based on constructive and objective feedback.”