The Nigeria Police Force has demanded a retraction and public apology from Amnesty International over its report alleging human rights violations during the August 2024 #EndBadGovernance protests.
The police have threatened legal action if the human rights organization fails to comply within seven days.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, described Amnesty International’s report titled “Bloody August: Nigeria Government’s Violent Crackdown on #EndBadGovernance Protests” as “baseless and unfounded.”
The report accused the police of deploying excessive force, leading to the deaths of at least 24 people and the detention of over 1,200 individuals, including minors.
“The Nigeria Police Force has demanded an immediate retraction and public apology regarding the publication. Failure to comply will prompt the NPF to consider legal actions to protect its reputation,” Adejobi stated.
While the Amnesty report highlighted video evidence of police brutality, including the use of live ammunition on protesters and journalists, Adejobi maintained that the police acted with professionalism.
“The police exercised restraint even at the height of provocation and violent attacks, adhering to global best practices and employing minimal force where necessary,” he added.
Adejobi further claimed that the report ignored the efforts of law enforcement to maintain order and safeguard peaceful protesters.
He noted that criminal elements who exploited the protests were arrested and prosecuted in line with the law.
Despite the police’s position, Amnesty International has stood by its findings, recirculating the report and reiterating its accusations against the force.
The organization alleges that the violent crackdown led to widespread abuses, undermining the rights of Nigerians to peaceful assembly and expression.
As the standoff between the police and Amnesty International continues, the controversy raises questions about accountability, the use of force, and human rights protections during public demonstrations in Nigeria.
The August 2024 protests, driven by demands for better governance and accountability, sparked widespread national and international reactions, with reports of clashes between protesters and security operatives in several states.
Amnesty International had yet to officially respond to the police’s demands at the time of filing this report.
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