Nigeria Police Threaten Legal Action Against Amnesty Over #EndBadGovernance Protest Report
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has issued a stern warning to Amnesty International, threatening legal action if the human rights organization does not retract its controversial report on the #EndBadGovernance protests within seven days. The report, titled ‘Bloody August: Nigerian government’s violent crackdown on #EndBadGovernance protests,’ was published by Amnesty in November 2024. The organization claimed that at least 24 protesters were killed and over 1,200 others were arrested during the nationwide protests against economic hardship and bad governance.
In response, the NPF launched an investigation into the claims made by Amnesty. The police announced in December 2024 that the Inspector-General of Police had set up a special panel to examine the report. According to the NPF, the panel found the claims to be inaccurate and has demanded that Amnesty retract the report and issue an apology for what it described as false information.
Muyiwa Adejobi, the spokesperson for the Nigeria Police Force, issued a statement on January 6, 2025, confirming that the police had formally written to Amnesty International, demanding an apology and retraction of the report. Adejobi emphasized that the publication of the report had undermined public trust in the police, stating that it misrepresented the actions of the NPF during the protests.
“The NPF believes that this misleading publication undermines the trust and confidence of the citizens in the police,” Adejobi said in the statement. “During the protests, the police acted with restraint and professionalism, even under the highest levels of provocation and violent attacks, adhering to global best practices and using minimal force where necessary.”
The NPF further argued that media coverage from national outlets showed the police’s commitment to maintaining order while protecting peaceful protesters. However, the police also acknowledged that criminal elements attempted to exploit the protests, leading to arrests and legal action.
“The NPF strongly believes that this misleading publication harms the reputation of the organization and demoralizes officers who risk their lives to protect the public,” the statement continued. “In light of these false claims, the NPF has demanded that Amnesty International issue 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 protests, which took place from August 1 to 10, 2024, were driven by widespread dissatisfaction with the country’s economic conditions, including hunger and bad governance. While the protests were largely peaceful, some regions in the north saw violent clashes, with certain demonstrators seen waving Russian flags, which further complicated the situation.
As the deadline for Amnesty to retract the report approaches, tensions between the Nigeria Police and the international human rights organization are escalating. The outcome of this dispute could have significant implications for the relationship between the Nigerian government, the police, and global human rights groups.
