Protest: NPF Releases Record of Incidences, Cautions Amnesty International on Unconfirm Figures, Reports

From Aviashima Toom, Abuja 

SAHEL ReportersNews: The Nigeria Police Force has refuted a recent report publicized by Amnesty International, which claims that thirteen (13) individuals have lost their lives due to the protests in Nigeria that began on 1st August 2024. 

Amnesty International further alleges that security personnel deliberately employed tactics designed to kill while managing gatherings and used firearms as a tactical tool for protest management. 

This was contained in a statement made available to Security Correspondent on Saturday by the Force Public Relations Officer ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi in Abuja.

He said that, he Nigeria Police Force wishes to provide an accurate account of incidents from the first two (2) days of the nationwide protests. 

According to him, in Borno State, four (4) individuals lost their lives and thirty-four (34) were severely injured in a terrorist attack by suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP elements who infiltrated the crowd of protesters and detonated an Improvised Explosive Device (IED). 

"Additionally, an incident occurred involving an unregistered Honda Prelude car that ran into the protesters, resulting in the deaths of two (2) civilians. The driver abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene. Although the vehicle was vandalized after the incident, it has been recovered and is currently in police custody. Efforts are ongoing to trace the driver and bring him to justice". He stated.

He stated further that, another incident reported in Yauri, in Yauri Local Government Area of Kebbi State where a group of individuals mobilized to loot a shop. In the process, a local vigilante man shot and killed one of the looters. 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 (7).

"It is important to state that there were no other recorded fatalities during the protests apart from those mentioned above. 

"However, 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. Arrests were made with respect to these criminal incidences and a number of recoveries made from the suspects while the protest was going on. 

"The Nigeria Police personnel deployed to manage the protests have acted professionally, refraining from using lethal weapons. In instances where protesters became riotous, the police employed teargas to disperse them. Even when our officers on lawful duty were attacked and injured, the police effected arrests using only teargas, demonstrating utmost restraint". He said.

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