Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun has denied allegations that security operatives used live ammunition against protesters during the #EndBadGovernance demonstration.
At a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, Egbetokun stated that security agencies exercised restraint and did not employ excessive force during the protest.
However, he revealed that some security personnel were attacked and injured during the demonstration, with several police officers currently receiving critical medical attention.
The IGP dismissed reports of police firing on unarmed protesters as “fake news”, emphasizing that the accounts were inaccurate and misleading.”
“The police and the military, and indeed no other security agency involved in the management of this protest, have deployed excessive use of force,” the IGP said.
“Instead, what we had were attacks on security agents during the protest. From our record, there was no shooting incident by the police.
“The police or military did not use any live ammunition in the management of these protests.
“Instead, we have had cases where our officers were injured critically and are in critical condition in the hospital as we speak.
“I will dismiss that as fake news and very wrong allegations. We didn’t use excessive force at all.”
Nigerians have taken to the streets since August 1 in what they call the #EndBadGovernance protest, demanding solutions to the various challenges, including the rising cost of living and insecurity in the country.
However, the protest has turned violent in some parts of the country, resulting in the looting and vandalisation of properties.
The claim made by Egbetokun that security operatives did not shoot at protesters is different from what was experienced by TheCable during the coverage of the protest.
Recall that TheCable’s journalists, on Saturday, experienced how police officers shot live bullets at protesters at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja.
Amnesty International Nigeria said over 10 protesters were killed by police in Kano during the protest.
