The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has issued a formal demand for a public apology and retraction of a report by Amnesty International, which it claims contains false accusations regarding the police’s conduct during the August 2024 End Bad Governance protests.
In a letter dated January 6, 2025, the NPF criticized the publication titled “Bloody August: Nigeria Government’s Violent Crackdown on and Bad Governance Protests,” which alleged that the police committed human rights violations, brutality, and excessive violence during the protests. According to the NPF, the claims in the report are “entirely false and without foundation.”
The NPF emphasized that during the protests, the police acted with “restraint and professionalism,” even when faced with provocation and violent attacks, following international best practices and using minimal force when required.
The police stated that national media coverage corroborates their efforts to maintain order and protect peaceful demonstrators, while criminal elements attempting to exploit the protests were arrested and dealt with legally.
“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 NPF said.
The Force also noted that such false claims damage its reputation and demoralize officers who risk their lives for public safety.
In light of these accusations, the NPF has demanded that Amnesty International issue a formal retraction and public apology within seven days. The NPF warned that failure to comply would lead to potential legal action to protect its reputation.
The police reaffirmed their commitment to safeguarding the lives and property of Nigerians and upholding the law while continuing to earn the public’s trust.
