IGP Orders Investigation Into Amnesty’s Allegations of Police Brutality
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has initiated an investigation into the Nigeria Police Force’s alleged involvement in the deaths and arrests of protesters during the August #EndBadGovernance demonstrations. Amnesty International recently published a report accusing the police of using excessive force during the nationwide protests, claiming that at least 24 people were killed in states including Borno, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Jigawa, and Niger.
Amnesty’s report, titled “Bloody August: Nigerian Government’s Violent Crackdown on #EndBadGovernance Protests,” asserts that the victims were mostly young people, with two children and one elderly individual also among the deceased. The report stated that police fired live ammunition at close range, often targeting protesters’ heads and torsos, suggesting an intent to kill. The organization also accused police of suffocating protesters by indiscriminately using tear gas. Amnesty believes the true death toll could be higher due to a government cover-up.
Isa Sanusi, Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, called for an independent and impartial investigation into the alleged human rights violations, criticizing the police for denying wrongdoing despite evidence. He urged President Bola Tinubu to hold security agencies accountable for their actions.
In response, the Nigeria Police Force, through its Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumiyiwa Adejobi, dismissed the allegations as false and misleading. The police emphasized that the Force operated in accordance with established rules, ensuring security for peaceful protesters. The IGP had directed that arms should only be deployed when protests escalated into riots that threatened lives or property, and the police did not use live ammunition.
The police also clarified that some of the fatalities, including seven deaths in Borno State, were caused by attacks from suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP militants, not by police actions. They further claimed that protesters in several states engaged in violent activities, prompting the use of tear gas, but denied firing live bullets.
The police stated that arrests during the protests were made in response to criminal acts such as treason, vandalism, and looting, and that detainees were treated according to the law. The Federal Government later granted amnesty to those arrested, signaling a commitment to national reconciliation.
In light of Amnesty’s report, the IGP has directed a comprehensive investigation, urging Commissioners of Police in the affected states to submit detailed reports within one week. The investigation aims to assess any deviation from standard operating procedures and ensure accountability within the police force.
