The Nigerian Police Force announced the arrest of 681 individuals for various criminal activities during the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests held on Thursday and Friday. This statement was made in response to Amnesty International’s report, which accused the police of killing 13 protesters on the first day of the demonstrations.
Amnesty International had criticized Nigerian security forces, alleging they used excessive force to disperse protesters. The organization claimed that 13 people were killed by security personnel, a number strongly disputed by the police.
Force Public Relations Officer Olumuyiwa Adejobi issued a statement contesting Amnesty International’s claims. Adejobi stated, “The Nigeria Police Force finds it necessary to refute a recent report publicised by Amnesty International, which claims that 13 individuals have lost their lives due to the protests in Nigeria that began on August 1, 2024.”
Adejobi acknowledged that seven deaths occurred during the protests but provided different details about the incidents. In Borno State, four individuals died, and 34 were injured in a terrorist attack by suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP elements who infiltrated the crowd and detonated an explosive device. Additionally, a car crash involving an unregistered Honda Prelude killed two protesters, with the driver fleeing the scene.
In another incident in Kebbi State, a local vigilante shot and killed a looter. “The Commissioner of Police in charge of Kebbi State is currently investigating the incident. This brings the total number of deaths recorded during the protests to seven,” Adejobi clarified.
The police also reported recovering dangerous weapons, including two AK-47 rifles and assorted ammunition, from the protesters. Items such as stolen electronics, furniture, and other goods worth billions of naira were seized from those arrested.
Adejobi noted that nine police officers were injured in the protests, with one officer initially thought to be dead now in critical condition. He emphasized the violent turn of the protests, advising law-abiding citizens to withdraw.
“The ongoing protest has turned violent. We therefore advise law-abiding citizens taking part in the protest across the country to immediately withdraw from it,” Adejobi urged.
He credited the strategic deployment of police and other security agencies for controlling the violence that erupted on the first day. Adejobi reiterated the police’s commitment to maintaining law and order, urging the public to ignore misleading reports about the protests.
“The Nigeria Police urges all citizens and residents to disregard unfounded and psychologically manipulative reports circulating about incidents during these protests,” he concluded.
