Rita Odafe
An update from the Nigeria Police Force on Saturday detailed the occurrences during the ongoing nationwide protests sparked by economic challenges in the country.
Contrary to a report from Amnesty International indicating 13 fatalities in the protests that began on August 1, 2024, the Police dispute this figure, stating that the actual number of deaths stands at seven.
The Police have also apprehended 681 individuals linked to various criminal activities during the protests, seizing two AK-47 rifles and different types of live ammunition from demonstrators.
Amid escalating violence during the protests, the Police cautioned law-abiding citizens to distance themselves from the unrest.
In an announcement by Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Force Public Relations Officer, it was emphasized that nine police officers sustained injuries of varying severity due to attacks by protesters.
Detailing incidents from the initial days of the nationwide demonstrations, Adejobi disclosed: “In Borno State, 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.”
Another event in Yauri Local Government Area of Kebbi State involved a group attempting to loot a shop, wherein a vigilante member shot and killed one of the looters.
Aside from the mentioned fatalities, the Police confirmed no other deaths occurred during the protests but highlighted reports of armed robbery, arson, vandalism, looting, and destruction of both public and private property.
Arrests were made in connection with these criminal activities, with various items recovered from the suspects during the protest period.
