Reports that the Nigeria Police Force’s officers shot demonstrators with live ammunition at Monday’s #FreeNnamdiKanu protest in Abuja have been refuted.
Politician and human rights advocate Omoyele Sowore organized the demonstration, which attracted a sizable crowd calling for the immediate release of Nnamdi Kanu, the imprisoned leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
In the midst of widely shared footage of protestors running away in dense smoke and deafening pops, Sowore claimed that security personnel, including military and police, used tear gas and live bullets to scatter nonviolent protesters. Reports state that a number of people were arrested, including attorneys and journalists.
But the claims were rejected by Force Headquarters as untrue and deceptive. Force Public Relations Officer ACP Benjamin Hundeyin stated in a statement on Monday that the operation did not involve the use of live ammunition.
“The police never fired live gunfire at any demonstrators. those heard noises coming from tear gas cannisters, which were used to scatter those who tried to enter restricted locations, according to Hundeyin.
Officers only used little force to keep the peace after demonstrators disregarded warnings and attempted to enter restricted areas around the Presidential Villa, National Assembly, and Eagle Square, he added, adding that the police actions were legal and consistent with routine operating protocols.
A genuine court order that was acquired last week to limit protests in specific areas—which the police referred to as “critical national infrastructure”—guided the operation, according to Hundeyin.
Protecting people and property is our responsibility. Our officers just carried out the court ruling, which expressly forbade gatherings in protected areas of the Federal Capital Territory,” he continued.
However, the demonstrators have charged that the police have overreacted. In a social media post, Sowore said that both live ammunition and tear gas were used on nonviolent demonstrators, calling the incident “a gross violation of fundamental rights.”
Unarmed civilians who were merely using their constitutional rights to congregate and express their opinions were attacked. Sowore declared, “We will not be intimidated.”
Several protests were recently conducted to encourage the Federal Government to follow court decisions granting the IPOB leader bail, including the #FreeNnamdiKanu demonstration.
Concerns over Nigeria’s handling of public protests have grown, prompting human rights observers to demand an independent investigation of the actions of security personnel during the protest.
