By Abigail Philip David
Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun has responded to a report by Amnesty International accusing the Nigeria Police Force of excessive force and extrajudicial killings during the #EndBadGovernance protests in August 2024.
The Amnesty report alleged that at least 24 protesters, including two children and an older adult, were killed, and over 1,200 individuals were detained. However, in a statement issued on Monday by Force spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi, the IG described these claims as “unfounded, misleading, and inconsistent” with reports received from police commands.
Egbetokun emphasized that the police adhered to professional conduct and established rules of engagement during the protests. “Clear directives were issued to all Commissioners of Police, emphasizing that firearms should not be used to manage protests except in cases where riots led to the loss of lives or property,” he stated.
He noted that incidents during the protests, such as attacks by suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP operatives in Borno State, accounted for some of the casualties, and not police actions. The report cited additional incidents, including accidental fatalities caused by a vehicle ramming into protesters.
The IG also highlighted that tear gas was deployed in some states to prevent the escalation of violence and maintain public safety, while rejecting claims that live ammunition was used against protesters. Arrests made during the protests, he added, targeted individuals involved in criminal acts such as vandalism, arson, and treason, with the government later pardoning many of those detained.
To address Amnesty’s allegations, the IGP has ordered a detailed investigation and directed police commands to submit comprehensive incident reports within one week to ensure adherence to Standard Operating Procedures.
