The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has issued a stern letter to global human rights organization Amnesty International, demanding an apology and retraction of allegations regarding the police’s conduct during the August 2024 #EndBadGovernance protests. The dispute follows Amnesty International’s publication, titled “Bloody August: Nigeria Government’s Violent Crackdown on and Bad Governance Protests”, in which the group accused the police of human rights violations, brutality, and excessive violence against demonstrators.
In a formal letter dated January 6, 2025, the Nigeria Police Force rejected the accusations, calling the claims “unsubstantiated” and “false.” The letter outlined the police’s dissatisfaction with Amnesty International’s portrayal of events, insisting that the report unfairly maligns the integrity and professionalism of the police force.
Amnesty International’s report claimed that security forces responded to the protests, which erupted nationwide in August 2024, with excessive force, killing and injuring peaceful protesters. The human rights organization alleged that police officers used violent tactics to suppress dissent and denied citizens their constitutional right to peaceful assembly. However, the Nigeria Police Force’s Public Relations Officer, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Olumuyiwa Adejobi, swiftly rebuffed these accusations, saying the police acted with restraint throughout the protests.
“Upon careful review and investigation, the NPF categorically rejects these baseless allegations,” said ACP Adejobi in a statement to the press. “The claims are entirely false and without foundation.”
The police spokesperson emphasized that during the protests, police officers adhered to global best practices in law enforcement, only using force when absolutely necessary and in response to violent attacks on security personnel and public property. Adejobi pointed out that the police maintained their professionalism and upheld their duty to preserve public order and security, even amid significant provocation from criminal elements who tried to hijack the peaceful protests for violent purposes.
“The police acted with the utmost restraint, even when faced with intense provocations,” he affirmed. “Our officers followed established protocols and, where necessary, employed minimal force. The police did not engage in the indiscriminate violence described by Amnesty International.”
Adejobi also highlighted that the police’s actions were corroborated by multiple media outlets, which documented the police’s efforts to maintain order without resorting to unnecessary violence. He added that any criminal elements involved in the protests who sought to disrupt public peace were swiftly arrested and dealt with in accordance with the law.
The police’s response to Amnesty International’s claims was not merely a defense of their actions, but a pointed rebuke of the organization’s motives. The NPF strongly argued that such accusations undermine the hard-earned trust and confidence between the police force and the Nigerian public.
“The Nigeria Police Force has worked tirelessly over the years to build and maintain trust with the citizens and residents of this country,” ACP Adejobi remarked. “We are deeply concerned that these false allegations could damage our relationship with the public, demoralize our officers, and tarnish the reputation of the police force.”
The NPF’s demand for an apology is not just a call for an acknowledgment of wrongdoing but a warning of potential legal action should Amnesty International fail to comply. The police have given the organization a seven-day window to issue a retraction and public apology. Should Amnesty International not meet this deadline, the police have vowed to consider taking legal measures to defend their reputation and seek redress for the harm caused by the allegations.
“The Nigeria Police Force remains fully committed to its duty of safeguarding the lives and property of Nigerians, upholding the law, and earning the trust of the people it serves,” ACP Adejobi concluded.
This conflict between the Nigeria Police Force and Amnesty International highlights a deepening rift over the handling of public protests in Nigeria. The #EndBadGovernance protests, which centered on demands for greater accountability and transparency from the government, were marked by widespread demonstrations across the country. While many Nigerians see the protests as a legitimate exercise of free speech, global human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have criticized the government’s heavy-handed response, including the alleged use of excessive force by security personnel.
The Nigeria Police Force’s letter to Amnesty International follows a growing concern over the growing tensions between law enforcement agencies and civil society organizations that monitor human rights practices. With global attention focused on Nigeria’s handling of political dissent, this dispute could potentially have far-reaching implications, not just for the relationship between the police and international human rights bodies, but also for how future protests are handled in the country.
While the NPF stands firm in its defense of its actions during the August 2024 protests, Amnesty International has yet to respond publicly to the police’s demands for retraction and apology. As the deadline approaches, it remains to be seen whether the human rights organization will comply with the police’s demands or escalate the matter further, potentially leading to legal battles between the two entities.
The Nigeria Police Force’s call for an apology comes at a time when many Nigerians are still grappling with the fallout from the #EndBadGovernance protests, which raised important questions about the government’s handling of public dissent and the role of security forces in maintaining order during times of civil unrest. With both sides standing firm in their positions, this dispute may serve as a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s ongoing struggle for better governance and the protection of human rights.
