Adamu. PHOTO: Channels TV/ Sodiq Adelakun
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP M.A Adamu, NPM, mni
has insisted that officers of the Nigeria Police Force acted
professionally and exercised commendable restraints during the
recent protests and ensuing violence in some parts of the
country.
He said some also paid the supreme price in the process.
According to a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer,
Force Headquarters, Abuja, Dcp Frank Mba on Friday, the IGP made
the observation following a report by Amnesty International dated
October 21, that Police personnel shot at peaceful protesters.
He described the report as untrue, misleading and contrary to
all available empirical evidence.
The IGP insisted 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.
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‘Discriminatory Tendencies’
Speaking further, the IGP noted that the report only covered
casualties on the side of protesters, describing it as
‘discriminatory’ because the police likewise recorded several
casualties.
“Available reports show that twenty-two (22) police personnel
were extra-judicially killed by some rampaging protesters and
scores injured during the protests. Many of the injured personnel
are in life-threatening conditions at the hospitals.
“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,” the statement
read.
“Despite these unprovoked attacks, our police officers never
resorted to use of unlawful force or shooting at the protesters as
alleged in the report. It also beggars imagination that Amnesty
International failed to mention or pay tribute to Police officers
who were gruesomely murdered during the protests while serving
their fatherland.
“The Force decries the discriminatory tendencies exhibited by
Amnesty International as seen in the report. 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.”
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, the Police Chief enjoined Amnesty
International to ensure they subject their reports to adequate
scrutiny and proper verification of facts before making the reports
public.