Nigeria Police Force, on Tuesday, threatened to take legal action against global human rights organisation, Amnesty International for alleged false publication on last year’s #EndBadGovernance protest.
The police threatened to go to court, if the AI failed to publish a retraction on the publication.
NPF demanded the apology and retraction over AI’s report, titled: Bloody August: Nigeria Government’s Violent Crackdown On #Bad Governance Protests, in a letter, dated January 6, 2025, written to Amnesty International.
Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a statement, said, “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 #EndBadGovernance 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 emphasises 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 the 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 organisation and demoralise its officers who risk their lives to protect the public.”
