‘7, Not 13 Killed’ – NPF Disagrees With Amnesty International Over Number Of Protesters Killed

The Nigerian Police Force has denied a claim by Amnesty International and other media reports that at least 13 protesters have been killed in the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protests. The Force argued that seven protesters have been killed so far.

The NPF also exonerated itself from the killing, saying its personnel has conducted themselves professionally since the protests started on Thursday.

Amnesty International reported that six protesters were killed in Suleja, Niger state; four in Maiduguri, Borno state; and three in Kaduna.

However, in a statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Police claimed that 6 protesters were killed in Borno and one in Kebbi.

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 car 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 mobilised 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 investigating the incident. This brings the total number of deaths recorded during the protests to seven (7),” the statement read partly.

The statement also noted that the Police had made 681 arrests, alleging that those arrested were criminals who perpetuated arson, robbery, and looting, among other crimes.

However, West Africa Weekly reliably confirms that most arrested protesters were peaceful. We also reported today that Police opened fire on peaceful protesters and journalists at the MKO Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.

There are also reports of how pro-government hoodlums attacked peaceful protesters while Policemen looked on. This contradicts the NPF’s claim that its men had been professional in their conduct.

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Oluwatobi Odeyinka

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