The Inspector General police,(IGP),Mohammed Ahmed has describe the report of the Amnesty International report as untrue about Indiscriminate police shooting at peaceful protesters saying officers of the Nigeria Police Force acted professionally, exercised commendable restraints and some paid the supreme price for peace during the recent protests and ensuing violence in some parts of the country.
Adamu made this observation following report by Amnesty International dated 21st October, 2020 that Police personnel shot at peaceful protesters saying the Amnesty report is misleading and contrary to all available empirical evidences.
The IGP noted that during the protests, officers of the Force used legitimate means to ensure that the protests were carried out in a peaceful manner and in most cases, physically protected and walked side-by-side with the protesters.
He reiterated that even when the protests turned violent in some parts of the country, the officers still maintained utmost restraint and did not use excessive force in managing the situations adding that available Reports show that twenty-two (22) police personnel were extra-judicially killed by some rampaging protesters and scores injured during the protests.
The IGP noted that while many of the injured personnel are in life threatening conditions at the hospitals,over two hundred and five (205) Police stations and formations including other critical private and public infrastructure were also damaged by a section of the protesters.
Adamu said despite these unprovoked attacks, our police officers never resorted to use of unlawful force or shooting at the protesters as alleged in the report.
“We are surprised that Amnesty International failed to mention or pay tribute to Police officers who were gruesomely murdered during the protests while serving their fatherland”,Adamu explained.
The IGP further said the Force decries the discriminatory tendencies exhibited by Amnesty International as seen in the report and one wonders if in the estimation of Amnesty International, police officers are not also human beings equally entitled to the protection of their fundamental rights to life and dignity of human person.
The Police boss while noting that the Force is committed to the Federal Government’s ongoing holistic reforms of the NPF targeted at improving service delivery, positive police-citizen relationship and respect for human rights,enjoins Amnesty International to ensure they subject their reports to adequate scrutiny and proper verification of facts before making the reports public.
