PROTEST: Police Reject Amnesty International’s Claims on Casualties

PROTEST: Police Reject Amnesty International’s Claims on Casualties

The Nigeria Police Force has refuted allegations made by Amnesty International, stating that claims of 13 protest-related deaths since Thursday’s nationwide demonstrations are “untrue”.

In a statement released on Saturday in Abuja, Force Public Relations Officer Olumuyiwa Adejobi denied Amnesty’s report, which also accused security personnel of using lethal tactics and firearms to manage protests.

The police spokesperson dismissed these claims, emphasizing that the force’s actions have been proportionate and respectful of human rights.

He said the claims by Amnesty International were untrue, adding that the seven deaths recorded since the commencement of the protest were not as a result of gunshots by security personnel.

“In Borno, four people lost their lives and 34 others were severely injured in a terrorist attack by suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP elements that infiltrated the protest and detonated an Improvised Explosive Device (IED).

“An incident involving an unregistered Honda Prelude car that ran into protesters, resulting in the deaths of two civilians was also recorded.

“Another incident was reported in Kebbi where a group of individuals mobilised to loot a shop and in the process, a local vigilante man shot and killed one of the looters.

“This brings the total number of deaths recorded since the commencement of the protest to seven, and not 13 as claimed by Amnesty International,” he said.

The police spokesman said that no other fatality was recorded since the commencement of the protest apart from the seven cases mentioned.

Adejobi, however, said that incidences of armed robbery, arson, mischief, looting of public institutions and private businesses, destructions of both public and private property were recorded during the protest.

He said arrests were made with respect to the criminal incidences with a number of recoveries made from the suspects, while the protest was going on.

Adejobi said personnel of the Nigeria Police deployed to manage the protests had acted professionally and had refrained from using lethal weapons.

He said teargas was used to disperse groups, where protesters became riotous.

According to him, even when our officers on lawful duty were attacked and injured, the police made arrests using only teargas demonstrating utmost restraint.

He said the Nigeria Police Force had earlier reaffirmed its commitment to perform its lawful duties with professionalism, maintaining law and order.

Adejobi, therefore, urged citizens and residents to disregard “unfounded and psychologically manipulative reports being circulated on the protest”.