Reacting to the figures released by Amnesty International that 13 protesters were killed by security agencies in the ongoing protest against hunger in Nigeria, the Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Muyiwa Adejobi, said that aside 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.
In a statement on Saturday in Abuja, Adejobi said: “The ongoing protest has obviously turned violent. We therefore advise law abiding citizens taking part in the protest across the country to immediately withdraw from it.
“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).”
According to Adejobi, an incident occurred involving an unregistered Honda Prelude car that ran into the protesters, resulting in the deaths of two (2) civilians.
He explained that 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,” he added.
GIK/APA