- The IGP also noted that the police were not overstretched by the protests
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, asserted on Tuesday that security agencies, including the police and military, did not use excessive force during the #EndBadGovernance protests.
Addressing security agency heads in Abuja, Egbetokun emphasized that security personnel faced attacks and did not resort to live ammunition.
Egbetokun stated, “The police and military did not use excessive force. Instead, our records show attacks on security agents during the protest, with no shootings by the police.” He dismissed allegations of excessive force as “fake news,” clarifying that only tear gas was used, not water cannons or rubber bullets.
The IGP also noted that the police were not overstretched by the protests, maintaining law enforcement against other criminal activities, excluding kidnapping. He refuted claims that an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) was hijacked in Kaduna, explaining that protesters climbed onto an APC deployed to the Government House but did not hijack it.
Regarding the police presence at the Abuja stadium, Egbetokun said, “We provided security for peaceful protesters and did not take over the stadium.” He reiterated the police’s commitment to supporting peaceful protests while ensuring public safety.