The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has formally asked Amnesty International to retract and apologize for a recent publication alleging excessive force during the #EndBadGovernance protests.
The demand was conveyed in a letter dated January 6, 2025, as revealed in a statement by Force spokesperson ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi.
The publication, titled “Bloody August: Nigeria Government’s Violent Crackdown on and Bad Governance Protests,” accused the police of human rights violations, police brutality, and using excessive violence during the protests in August 2024.
According to the NPF, the claims are false and unsubstantiated. The statement asserts that the police acted professionally, maintaining order while using minimal force, even under provocation.
The Force added that evidence from national media highlights their efforts to protect peaceful demonstrators while addressing criminal activities within the protests.
The NPF warned that such allegations damage its reputation and demoralize officers, stating that failure by Amnesty International to issue a public apology within seven days could result in legal action.
Amnesty International had reported that at least 24 protesters were killed across several states, attributing the deaths to police gunfire at close range.
The human rights group also alleged the use of tear gas and other tactics that led to injuries and suffocation of protesters.
The NPF reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property while urging the public to disregard false claims about its operations during the protests.