681 persons arrested and 9 police officers seriously injured during protest – Police

The Police have disclosed that no fewer than 681 individuals involved “in various criminal activities during the ongoing #EndBadGovernance in Nigeria protest” have been arrested in the last two days.

On the other hand independent sources have it that over 21 Nigerians have lost their lives in this hunger protest that started on August,1st.

The protest, which is aimed at drawing attention to the plights of the citizens currently suffering on account of hunger and inflation, started across the country on August 1, and it has entered its third day today, August 3.

On Friday, August 2, Amnesty International’s Country Director, Isa Sanusi, said in a statement that 13 protesters have been killed by security personnel across Nigeria, labelling the incident as “unjustified and unacceptable.”

Amnesty International criticized the security personnel for using tactics aimed at causing harm and for employing firearms as a means of protest control.

In contrast, Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, released a statement on Saturday contesting the figures presented by Amnesty International and refuting the allegations against the security operatives.

He, however confirmed that arrests were made in the first two days of the protest across the country, adding that law enforcement authorities confiscated weapons, including two AK-47 rifles and various live ammunition, from some “protesters.”

According to the police figures, 618 people were arrested on the first day of the protest from eight states, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. On the second day, only 63 protesters were arrested, adding that only seven people died during the protest, contrary to Amnesty International figures.

Muyiwa Adejobi said, “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 August 1, 2024.

“To combat the trend of crimes and criminality, the police have arrested a total of 681 individuals who committed various criminal offences such as armed robbery, arson, mischief, and destruction of both public and private property. Dangerous weapons, including two AK-47 rifles and assorted live ammunition, were recovered from the so-called protesters.

“Additionally, stolen items such as furniture, electronics, phones, other various shop items, and vital infrastructures worth billions of naira were recovered from the arrested persons. Contrary to circulating news, organizers of the protest or protesters were not arrested.”

He added, “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.

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.

“Another incident was 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.

“Those in police custody are under investigation for clear connections to criminal activities.

“Furthermore, nine police officers sustained various degrees of injuries during attacks by protesters.

“One of them who initially was reported dead, miraculously survived but remains in critical condition.”