Police Threaten Legal Action Against Amnesty International Over #EndBadGovernance Protest Report

Nigerian police issue a legal threat to Amnesty International for its report on the #EndBadGovernance protest, challenging the organization’s claims and sparking tensions between security forces and human rights groups.

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has warned that it will initiate legal action against Amnesty International unless a report on the #EndBadGovernance protest is withdrawn within seven days.

In November 2024, Amnesty released a report titled “Bloody August: The Nigerian Government’s Violent Crackdown on #EndBadGovernance Protests.”

In the report, the organization stated that a minimum of 24 protesters had been killed.

The international human rights organization reported that 1,200 demonstrators were detained during the protests.

In December 2024, the NPF announced that the Inspector-General of Police had formed a special investigation panel to look into the “claims” made by Amnesty.

According to the police, the panel determined that the report was false and asked the organization to retract it and issue an apology.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Muyiwa Adejobi, the spokesperson for the force, announced that the NPF had sent a letter to Amnesty dated January 6, 2025. The letter demands an apology and retraction of what they described as a “false” report.

Adejobi stated that the NPF “believes this misleading publication erodes citizens’ trust and confidence in the police.”

According to the statement, “The NPF highlights that throughout the protests, police officers maintained restraint and professionalism, even during peak provocation and violent incidents. They adhered to international best practices and employed minimal force when necessary.”

Evidence, such as national media coverage, highlights the police’s efforts to uphold law and order while protecting peaceful protesters.

Criminal elements that tried to exploit the protests were arrested and handled in accordance with the law.

The Nigeria Police Force firmly believes that this inaccurate publication erodes the trust and confidence it has painstakingly established with Nigerian citizens and residents.

The force emphasizes that these false claims damage the organization’s reputation and demoralize its officers, who risk their lives to protect the public.

In response to these inaccuracies, the NPF has requested that Amnesty International issue a formal retraction and public apology within seven days.

If you do not comply, the NPF may consider taking legal action to safeguard its reputation.

The nationwide protest addressing economic hardship, severe hunger, and poor governance spanned from August 1st to 10th.

In several northern states, the protest escalated into violence, and some demonstrators were seen holding Russian flags.