The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has said that the Police lost 22 of its personnel while 205 stations and formations across the country were burnt or damaged during the riots that followed the #EndSars protests across the country. The Police IGP made this known while countering a report by the Amnesty International that policemen deployed excessive force against #EndSARS protesters.
The IG argued that his men “acted professionally, exercised commendable restraints and some paid the supreme price for peace” during the protests and the ensuing violence in parts of the country.”
The global rights group had in its report knocked the police for assaulting the activists demanding police reforms, noting that they used excessive force on them. Amnesty International (AI) stated that over 12 protesters died during the ensuing violence.
But the IGP described the AI’s report as untrue, misleading and “contrary to all available evidence.”
The police rebuttal was contained in a statement on Friday, by the force spokesman, DCP Frank Mba, titled, ‘EndSARS protests: Police personnel were professional and exercised maximum restraints, IGP tells Amnesty International.’
It read, “The IGP noted that during the protests, officers of the Force used legitimate means to ensure that the protests were carried out in a peaceful manner and in most cases, physically protected and walked side-by-side with the protesters.
“He reiterated that even when the protests turned violent in some parts of the country, the officers still maintained utmost restraint and did not use excessive force in managing the situations.
“Available reports indicate that 22 police personnel were extra-judicially killed by some rampaging protesters and scores injured during the protests.