…Say 681 Protesters Arrested
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has refuted reports by Amnesty International that 13 people have been killed since protests against hunger commenced on August 1.
The police in a statement signed by its spokesperson, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi revealed that seven people were killed within the first two days of the protest.
It also noted that a total of 681 protesters were arrested within the period under review.
The statement read in part: “The Nigeria Police Force finds it necessary to refute a recent report
publicised by Amnesty International, which claims that 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 days of the nationwide protests.
“In Borno State, four individuals lost their lives and 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 civilians. The driver abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene.
“Although the vehicle was vandalised 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 currently investigating the incident. This brings the total number of deaths recorded
during the protests to seven.
“It is important to state that there were no other recorded fatalities during the protests apart from those mentioned above.”