The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has reported that seven people have died during the ongoing protests, which is contrary to Amnesty International’s claim of 13 protesters being killed by security agencies.
Aside from the dead, a total of 681 criminal elements mostly looters who broke into shops and pounced on critical government infrastructure as well as armed robbers who attacked innocent citizens were arrested.
The police stated these in an official press release providing a detailed account of the incidents during the protest that started on August 1, 2024.
According to the police, the actual number of fatalities from the first two days of protests stands at seven.
The statement reads, “The Nigeria Police Force finds it necessary to refute a recent report publicized by Amnesty International, which claims that thirteen (13) individuals have lost their lives due to the protests in Nigeria that began on 1st August 2024.
“Amnesty International further alleges that security personnel deliberately employed tactics designed to kill while managing gatherings and used firearms as a tactical tool for protest management.
“The Nigeria Police Force wishes to provide an accurate account of incidents from the first two (2) days of the nationwide protests.
“In Borno State, four (4) individuals lost their lives and thirty-four (34) were severely injured in a terrorist attack by suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP elements who infiltrated the crowd of protesters and detonated an Improvised Explosive Device (IED).
“Additionally, an incident occurred involving an unregistered Honda Prelude car that ran into the protesters, resulting in the deaths of two (2) civilians.
“The driver abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene. Although the vehicle was vandalized after the incident, it has been recovered and is currently in police custody. Efforts are ongoing to trace the driver and bring him to justice.
“There was another incident reported in Yauri, in Yauri Local Government Area of Kebbi State where a group of individuals mobilized to loot a shop. In the process, a local vigilante man shot and killed one of the looters.
“The Commissioner of Police in charge of Kebbi State is currently investigating the incident.
“This brings the total number of deaths recorded during the protests to seven (7).
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This came as the Police confirmed that a total of six hundred and eighty-one (681) individuals were arrested for committing various criminal offenses such as armed robbery, arson, mischief, and destructions of both public and private property during the protests.
According to ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Force Public Relations, the total number of deaths recorded during the protests was not more than seven (7).
The force also refuted Amnesty International’s claims that thirteen (13) individuals lost their lives as security personnel allegedly employed tactics designed to kill while managing gatherings and used firearms as a tactical tool for protest management.
Culled from ir