Nigeria Police High Command, on Saturday, said that to combat the trend of crimes and criminality, associated with the ongoing nationwide protest against economic hardship in the country, 681 suspects have been arrested.
This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja by the Force Public Relations, FPRO, Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi.
The FPRO explained that the individuals were arrested for various criminal offenses such as armed robbery, arson, mischief, and destruction of both public and private property
He added that various assorted dangerous weapons, including two AK-47 rifles and assorted live ammunition, were recovered from the so-called protesters.
According to him, “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”.
He pointed out that “contrary to circulating news, organisers of the protest or protesters were not arrested”.
He, however, explained that those in police custody were under investigation for clear connections to criminal activities.
He further clarified that only seven deaths had been recorded during the protest contrary to the false reports created by Amnesty International that 13 individuals had lost their lives
He said that in addition, nine police officers sustained various degrees of injuries during attacks by protesters while One of them who initially was reported dead, miraculously survived but remained in critical condition.
He raised the alarm that; “The ongoing protest has obviously turned violent and therefore advised law-abiding citizens taking part in the protest across the country to immediately withdraw from it.
“This advice becomes necessary in view of the violence that has characterized the protest in the last 2 days. It is reasonably expected that Peaceful protesters would have withdrawn from the protest that has turned violent”.
He cautioned the Amnesty International on releasing unconfirmed figures and reports about the ongoing protests in the country to avoid misleading the public and the international community
“The Nigeria Police Force finds it necessary to refute a recent report publicized by Amnesty International, which claims that thirteen (13) individuals have lost their lives due to the protests in Nigeria that began on 1st August 2024.
“Amnesty International further alleges that security personnel deliberately employed tactics designed to kill while managing gatherings and used firearms as a tactical tool for protest management.
“The Nigeria Police Force wishes to provide an accurate account of incidents from the first two (2) days of the nationwide protests. In Borno, four (4) individuals lost their lives and thirty-four (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 (IED).
“Additionally, an incident occurred involving an unregistered Honda Prelude car that ran into the protesters, resulting in the deaths of two (2) civilians. The driver abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene. Although the vehicle was vandalized 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.
“There was another incident reported in Yauri, in Yauri Local Government Area of Kebbi State where a group of individuals mobilized 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 (7).
“It is important to state that there were no other recorded fatalities during the protests apart from those mentioned above.
“However, incidences of armed robbery, arson, mischief, looting of public institutions and private businesses, and destructions of both public and private property were recorded during the protest. Arrests were made with respect to these criminal incidences and several recoveries were made from the suspects while the protest was going on.
“The Nigeria Police personnel deployed to manage the protests have acted professionally, refraining from using lethal weapons. In instances where protesters became riotous, the police employed teargas to disperse them. Even when our officers on lawful duty were attacked and injured, the police effected arrests using only teargas, demonstrating utmost restraint.”
He assured that the Nigeria Police Force “is committed to providing accurate information and ensuring the safety and security of all citizens during these challenging times.
“It is essential to recognize that the strategic deployment by the Nigeria Police Force, in collaboration with other security agencies, and the decisive clampdown on criminal elements exploiting the protests for unlawful activities, has been highly effective in quelling tension and curbing the violence and anarchy witnessed on the first day of the protests.
“During this challenging period, the Nigeria Police Force reaffirms its commitment to performing its lawful duties with professionalism, maintaining law and order, and preventing anarchy throughout the country. The Nigeria Police urges all citizens and residents to disregard unfounded and psychologically manipulative reports circulating about incidents during these protests”.
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