Police demand apology, retraction from Amnesty International over “false” publication

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has demanded an apology and retraction from Amnesty International regarding a publication titled “Bloody August: Nigeria Government’s Violent Crackdown on and Bad Governance Protests”.

The NPF claims the publication contains unsubstantiated claims and falsely accuses them of human rights violations, police brutality, and excessive violence during the August 2024 End Bad Governance protests.

According to the NPF, they acted with restraint and professionalism during the protests, adhering to global best practices and using minimal force where necessary. They emphasize that evidence, including national media coverage, demonstrates their efforts to maintain law and order while safeguarding peaceful protesters.

The NPF believes this publication undermines the trust and confidence they’ve built with Nigerian citizens and residents, harming their reputation and demoralizing their officers. They’ve demanded a formal retraction and public apology from Amnesty International within seven days, threatening legal action if they don’t comply.

Amnesty International, however, has a different account of the events. They reported that at least 24 protesters were killed during the demonstrations, with many more injured or arrested. They accused the Nigerian authorities of using excessive force and violating human rights.