Kayode Egbetokun, inspector-general of police (IGP)
BY Ayodele Oluwafemi
Kayode Egbetokun, the inspector-general of police (IGP), says security operatives did not shoot live ammunition at protesters during the #EndBadGovernance demonstration.
During a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, Egbetokun said security agencies did not deploy “excessive use of force” during the protest.
The IGP said some security operatives were attacked during the protest, adding that police officers, who were injured, are currently in critical condition at the hospital.
Egbetokun described the reports of police shooting at unarmed protesters as “fake news”.
“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.
On Saturday, TheCable’s journalists 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.
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