The Nigeria Police Force (NPF), led by Inspector-General of Police Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has refuted allegations made by Amnesty International in its report titled “Bloody August: Nigeria Government’s Violent Crackdown on #EndBadGovernance Protests.”

At a media briefing held at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, described the claims as “false, misleading, and unsubstantiated.”

Amnesty International’s report alleged the killing of 24 individuals across six northern states during the protests held in August 2024. In response, the Inspector-General of Police ordered a comprehensive investigation, which revealed significant inaccuracies in the report.

ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi stated:

“The claims made by Amnesty International in this report were at variance with the records available to the Nigeria Police. All recorded incidents of violence during the protests were documented by the police in all 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). These records are available at both the Department of Operations and the Department of Research and Planning of the Nigeria Police Force.”

He further added:

“To set the record straight, the trio of Nasiru Mustapha, Amodu Garba Maina, and Momodu Hassan, all staff of Kime and Sons Filling Station, were killed by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) fabricated with a safety-free mechanism and planted at the filling station on Baga Road, Maiduguri—not at Bolori Junction as Amnesty International claimed.”

Findings from Affected States

The investigation revealed discrepancies in Amnesty’s report:

1. Borno State: Allegations of police throwing grenades were dismissed, as the NPF clarified it does not use explosive grenades.

2. Niger State: Claims of police shooting three individuals were found false, with no corroborating evidence.

3. Katsina State: Allegations of a police shooting were disproved, with no record of violence reported.

4. Kaduna State: Amnesty claimed a protester was killed on 1st October, but police records showed no protest or fatality on that date.

5. Jigawa State: Alleged police shootings of two women were refuted, with evidence pointing to unrelated incidents.

6. Kano State: Amnesty claimed 12 deaths caused by police, but findings attributed the fatalities to assailants exploiting the protests.

The briefing highlighted the professionalism of the NPF in handling protests, emphasizing adherence to international human rights standards. ACP Adejobi said:

“Contrary to Amnesty International’s claims, there is no credible evidence to support allegations of killings or excessive use of force by the police. Reports of officers firing live rounds at protesters or targeting unarmed civilians are baseless and were not corroborated by independent investigations.”

Critique of Amnesty International

The NPF accused Amnesty International of unverified reporting.

“Accurate reporting of facts is key to the integrity and character of every International Organisation, and Amnesty International should not be an exception,” Adejobi stated.

The NPF also referenced the UN Human Rights Council’s protocols on peaceful protests, asserting its compliance and commitment to ensuring public safety during demonstrations.

Call for Retraction

The Nigeria Police Force plans to demand a public apology and retraction from Amnesty International.

“The Nigeria Police Force will in due time be writing the Amnesty International to demand for a retraction of this report from the public space and with a public apology,” ACP Adejobi concluded.

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, has issued a stern warning to organizers of palliative distributions and public events to prioritize safety and structure in their activities. The warning comes in the wake of three tragic incidents in different parts of the country, underscoring the dangers of uncoordinated aid distribution.

In recent days, chaotic distributions have led to multiple fatalities, injuries, and widespread concern about public safety during this festive season.

Series of Tragic Incidents

The first incident occurred on December 18, 2024, at a children’s funfair in Ibadan, Oyo State. A stampede broke out, resulting in the tragic deaths of at least 35 children, with several others critically injured.

Just a few days later, in the early hours of December 21, a similar tragedy struck the Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Maitama, Abuja, where a stampede occurred during the distribution of food items to vulnerable individuals. This incident claimed 10 lives and left many injured.

In another heartbreaking event on the same day, a palliative distribution organized by philanthropist Obi Jackson in Okija, Ihiala Local Government Area, Anambra State, turned deadly. A stampede claimed three lives, with numerous individuals sustaining injuries and receiving treatment in various hospitals.

IGP Egbetokun Raises Concerns

Reacting to these incidents, the IGP expressed deep concerns about the unorganized nature of these activities, warning that such negligence poses significant risks to public safety.

“The lack of a well-defined plan for distributing palliatives has resulted in chaos, leading to long lines and unnecessary confrontations among citizens seeking assistance,” he said.

The IGP called on government officials, community leaders, and non-governmental organizations to collaborate in establishing a comprehensive and structured framework for aid distribution.

He emphasized:

> “The dangers posed to public safety during these unorganized distributions and funfairs set up by groups, individuals, and NGOs, including the potential for stampedes and other incidents that could endanger lives, cannot be overstated.”

The IGP also warned that negligence in organizing such events would not be tolerated and could attract legal consequences under Nigerian laws, specifically Sec. 196 of the Penal Code and Sec. 344 of the Criminal Code.

Security Agencies to Be Involved

In his statement, IGP Egbetokun urged organizers of similar events to ensure the involvement of security agencies to prevent such tragedies in the future.

The Inspector-General further appealed to citizens to exercise caution during palliative distributions, advising:

“The general public who would want to benefit from such distributions should tread with caution, prioritizing their safety, to avoid unforeseen calamities.”

Investigations Underway

The IGP has directed the Commissioners of Police in the affected states to conduct thorough investigations into the incidents to determine their causes and recommend appropriate legal actions.

Sympathizing with the bereaved families, the IGP conveyed his condolences and wished the injured a swift recovery.

Police Commitment to Public Safety

The Nigeria Police Force reiterated its commitment to ensuring public safety and supporting efforts to streamline aid distribution. “Collaborating with relevant stakeholders, the Force aims to prevent future tragedies and ensure such processes are seamless,” the statement concluded.

This festive season, the police urge all organizers to adhere to safety guidelines and regulations to protect lives and maintain order.

In a compelling call for national cohesion and empowerment, the President of the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA), Dr. Mrs. Elizabeth Egbetokun, has stressed the significance of goodwill, unity, and growth in fostering a prosperous nation. Speaking during the POWA Annual Convention held from December 5-7, 2024, at the POWA National Secretariat, Mambila Barracks, Abuja, Dr. Egbetokun reaffirmed the association’s dedication to the welfare of police families and the broader community.

The three-day convention served as a platform to celebrate milestones and advance empowerment initiatives for women and children of police families. Reflecting on POWA’s achievements, Dr. Egbetokun highlighted the recent graduation of 110 participants from the POWA Skills Acquisition Centre in Dei-Dei, Abuja, as a testament to the association’s commitment to skill development.

“POWA remains committed to its mission of advocating for the welfare of police families through education, skill development, and mutual support,” she stated.

During the conference, the President called for stronger community participation in POWA’s initiatives, emphasizing the transformative potential of goodwill and unity in fostering growth. The convention also spotlighted the association’s continuous efforts to empower its members and provide sustainable solutions for their economic and social challenges.

Dr. Egbetokun further reminisced on the success of POWA’s 60th anniversary earlier this year, which underscored the organization’s unwavering focus on equipping women and children with skills to thrive.

She added, “The Association invites all community members to participate in future programs that aim to uplift and empower all women. Together, through goodwill and unity, we can foster an environment that nurtures growth and prosperity for all.”

The convention drew stakeholders, police families, and community members, fostering discussions on strengthening the support network for police officers’ families.