The Nigeria Police Force is seeking a public apology and immediate retraction of a report from Amnesty International titled “Bloody August: Nigeria Government’s Violent Crackdown on and Bad Governance Protests”. This demand was made in a formal letter to Amnesty International on January 6, 2025.
A statement made available to newsmen by the Force Public Relations Officer ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi states that; the publication contains several baseless accusations. Following a thorough examination and investigation, the NPF firmly rejects these unfounded accusations, confirming that they are wholly untrue and unsupported.
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) maintains that its officers exercised restraint and professionalism during the protests, even when faced with violent attacks. According to the NPF, they adhered to global best practices, using minimal force only when necessary. The NPF claims that evidence, including national media coverage, supports their efforts to maintain law and order while protecting peaceful protesters. Additionally, they state that criminal elements who attempted to exploit the protests were arrested and dealt with in accordance with 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 organization and demoralize its officers who risk their lives to protect the public.
In light of these falsehoods, the NPF has demanded that Amnesty International issues a formal retraction and public apology within seven days. Failure to comply will prompt the NPF to consider legal actions to protect its reputation.
The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to its duty of safeguarding the lives and property of Nigerians, upholding the law, and earning the trust of the people it serves.
