The Nigeria Police Force has strongly refuted Amnesty International’s claim that thirteen (13) individuals have died in the ongoing protests since 1st August 2024.
Amnesty International alleged that security personnel employed deadly tactics and firearms to manage the protests.
However, the Police provided an accurate account of incidents from the first two days of the nationwide protests:
In Borno State, a terrorist attack by suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP elements killed four (4) individuals and injured thirty-four (34) severely.
The terrorists infiltrated the crowd and detonated an IED.In another incident, an unregistered Honda Prelude car ran into protesters, killing two (2) civilians. The driver fled, but the vehicle has been recovered, and efforts are ongoing to locate the driver.
In Yauri, Kebbi State, a local vigilante shot and killed a looter during an attempt to rob a shop, bringing the total death toll to seven (7).
The Police emphasized that no other fatalities were recorded during the protests. They also reported numerous incidents of armed robbery, arson, and looting, resulting in 681 arrests and the recovery of dangerous weapons and stolen items worth billions of naira.
Police personnel have acted professionally, using only teargas to disperse riotous crowds and refraining from lethal force, despite attacks that injured nine (9) officers.
The Police advised law-abiding citizens to withdraw from the protests, which have turned violent.
The Nigeria Police Force is committed to maintaining order and protecting citizens while urging caution against the dissemination of unverified information.
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