The Nigerian Police Force (NPF) has written to Amnesty International, dated 6th January 2025 demanding an apology and retraction of its report on the #EndBadGovernance protests, which alleged police involvement in the killing of protesters. The NPF debunked the allegations, calling them "false, misleading, and damaging" to the force's image.
According to Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi in a press statement, their investigations contradicted Amnesty International's claims, and they found no evidence of police wrongdoing. The NPF also accused Amnesty International of frequently publishing false reports on Nigerian law enforcement activities.
The demand for an apology and retraction comes after Amnesty International's report, "Bloody August: Nigerian Government's Violent Crackdown on #EndBadGovernance Protests," alleged that at least 24 people were killed by police during the protests.
The publication in question, which includes numerous unsubstantiated claims, falsely accuses the Nigeria Police of human rights violations, police brutality, and excessive violence during the August 2024 End Bad Governance protests. Upon careful review and investigation, the NPF categorically rejects these baseless allegations, affirming that the claims are entirely false and without foundation.
The NPF emphasizes that during the protests, the Police acted with restraint and professionalism, even at the highest point of provocation and violent attacks, adhering to global best practices and using minimal force where necessary.
Evidence, including national media coverage, demonstrates the Police's efforts to maintain law and order while safeguarding peaceful protesters. Criminal elements attempting to exploit the protests were however arrested and dealt with according to law.
The Nigeria Police Force strongly believes that this misleading publication undermines the trust and confidence it has worked diligently to build with Nigerian citizens and residents. The Force further underscores that such false claims harm the reputation of the organization and demoralize its officers who risk their lives to protect the public.
In light of these falsehoods, the NPF has demanded that Amnesty International issues a formal retraction and public apology within seven days. Failure to comply will prompt the NPF to consider legal actions to protect its reputation.
The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to its duty of safeguarding the lives and property of Nigerians, upholding the law, and earning the trust of the people it serves.
The Full Letter from Nigeria Police Force to Amnesty International signed by the Principal Staff Officer II to Inspector-General of Police, DCP Asuquo Effiong below:
WITHDRAWAL OF FALSE PUBLICATION AGAINST THE NIGERIA POLICE
We write to formally demand the immediate retraction of your organization's publication titled "Bloody August: Nigeria Government's Violent Crackdown on #End Bad Governance Protests." This publication, which alleges human rights abuses, police brutality, and other misconduct during the #End Bad Governance protests, is replete with unsubstantiated claims and inaccuracies that have caused significant harm to the reputation of the Nigeria Police Force.
2. Having carefully reviewed the contents of this publication and conducted discreet investigation into all the claims in conjunction with respectable individuals and persons in authority, the Nigeria Police Force categorically rejects the baseless allegations of torture, violence, and the killing of peaceful protesters. These claims are entirely false, without foundation, and deeply damaging to the credibility of the Force. We hereby demand an immediate retraction of these falsehoods. Failure to do so will compel us to initiate legal proceedings against your organization to protect the integrity and reputation of the Nigeria Police Force.
3. It is particularly disappointing that your publication fails to acknowledge the commendable efforts of the Nigeria Police in maintaining law and order during the protests. Contrary to your claims, the Police acted with utmost restraint, employed minimum force where necessary, and adhered strictly to global best practices in managing the protests. Numerous pieces of evidence, including state-by-state documentation and national television coverage, show that officers
safeguarded peaceful protesters and professionally managed violent elements without resorting to the use of firearms. Furthermore, the Police diligently arrested criminal elements who sought to exploit the protest for criminal purposes.
4. Your publication, riddled with inaccuracies, not only undermines the credibility of the Nigeria Police Force but also erodes the confidence and trust that we have worked hard to build with Nigerian communities. This is a disservice to both the truth and the public interest.
5. Public cooperation is crucial to fulfilling our duties to the people and we are working tirelessly to earn the confidence and trust of the Nigeria people we serve. Our officers have made the ultimate sacrifice while protecting communities. However, false publications like this undermine our efforts, damage our fragile public image and demoralize our officers, ultimately harming the people we serve. We will therefore no longer take kindly to the publication of deliberate falsehood against our organization. Enough is enough.
6. In the light of the above, the Nigeria Police Force, in addition to demanding immediate withdrawal of this false publication, also demand a formal public apology addressed to the Nigeria Police Force.
7. This retraction and apology must be made within seven (7) days of receipt of this letter. Failure to comply will leave the Nigeria Police Force with no choice but to take appropriate legal action to seek redress and redeem its well-earned reputation.
8. We trust that your organization will take this matter seriously and act promptly to rectify the damage caused. We earnestly look forward to your response, please.