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#EndBadGovernanceInNigeria: Nigeria Police Deny Shooting Protesters

Nigeria’s Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has denied the rife allegations leveled against his men regarding excessive use of force on the protesters and shooting of live ammunition at the protesters during the ongoing nationwide hunger and hardship protest.

While fielding questions on Tuesday at the joint security press briefing in Abuja the IGP was insistent on the innocence of his men, despite video and photo evidence making the rounds on social media of policemen shooting live ammunition at the peaceful #EndBadGovernance protesters.

A viral video surfaced showing a Divisional Police Officer in Kano State threatening to kill #EndBadGovernance protesters. The officer, attached to the Rijiyar Lemo Police Division, was seen addressing a large crowd of demonstrators in Kano, warning that he would have no qualms about using lethal force if any of his personnel were harmed during the protests. 

 No fewer than 13 protesters have been killed during the #EndBadGovernance protests, according to Amnesty International.

Amnesty International Nigeria in a post on its X (formerly Twitter) handle on Friday, condemned “the killing of peaceful protesters by security personnel across the country, noting that 13 people had been killed in the 10-day protests that kicked off on Thursday.

It said six people were killed in Suleja in Niger State, four in Maiduguri in Borno State, and three in Kaduna State.

According to SaharaReporters, on the first day of the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests, at least 12 journalists and media professionals fell victim to police brutality or attacks by hoodlums reportedly sponsored by the government.

The police boss on Tuesday during the joint security press briefing including the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Air Force, the Nigerian Navy, the Nigerian Customs Service, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Department of State Services, and the Nigeria Police Force, said that there was no record of any police officer shooting live ammunition or brutalizing either protesters or journalists.

Egbetokun claimed that contrary to the allegations of police shooting at protesters, police officers were rather attacked and injured by protesters.

The IGP said, “The police and the military, indeed, no other security agency involved in the management of this protest has deployed excessive use of force. Instead, what we had was an attack on security agents during the protest.

“From our record, there was no shooting incident by the police. The police or the military did not use any live ammunition in the management of this protest. Instead, we have had cases where our officers were injured critically and they are still in critical condition in the hospital as we speak. 

“So, I will dismiss that (allegations) as fake news. It is not true. It is a very wrong allegation. We didn’t use excessive force at all. We didn’t even deploy all of our strength in this protest, even when it turned violent. 

On the issue of the teenage boy allegedly shot dead at the Kubwa area of Abuja by police officers, the IGP said, “I saw the video and I ordered an investigation into that immediately.

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Peter Obi decries Demolition of brother’s property in Lagos – ‘Nigeria is lawless’

Former presidential candidate and ex-Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, has condemned what he described as “coordinated lawlessness” after a property owned by his younger brother was demolished in Lagos without any formal notice or legal order.

In a statement posted to Facebook on Tuesday, June 25, Obi revealed that his brother arrived at the company’s premises in Ikeja, Lagos, only to find demolition underway.

He said security personnel at the scene claimed they were acting on a court judgment, yet failed to produce any legal documents or demolition order.

“How do you sue an unknown person? How does a court issue a judgment in such a farce of a case?” Obi queried, disclosing that the judgment cited was allegedly against “unknown persons and squatters,” despite the property being a registered company site for over 15 years.

Obi said he rushed from Abuja to Lagos upon receiving a distress call, only to be shocked by what he witnessed during the demolition.

He said contractors on-site could not identify who sent them, and no official from any government agency appeared to clarify the situation.

“The whole situation screamed of coordinated lawlessness and impunity,” Obi stated, adding that two men who later appeared only asked him to report to a police station, also without any court backing.

Drawing broader implications, Obi said the experience reflects what ordinary Nigerians endure and explains why foreign investors are reluctant to do business in the country.

“Someone told me he has investments in Ghana, Senegal, and the Benin Republic but won’t touch Nigeria. His reason was clear: ‘Nigeria is a lawless country,’” Obi noted.

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I listen to those who insult me and learn governance lessons from them – Tinubu

pro-Tinubu group

President Bola Tinubu said he has grown a thick skin against insults from his critics and political enemies to the point that he now learns governance lessons from them.

Tinubu disclosed this while speaking at the town hall meeting held at the Benue State Government House in Makurdi on Wednesday, June 18, 2025.

The meeting was part of activities scheduled for the President’s visit in the wake of recent killings in the state. Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, and other dignitaries, including North Central governors, received the President.

“No matter what I do, they will insult me. I read the papers and I learn from their criticism because I can’t see it all,” the President said.

Over 200 residents of the Yelewata community in Guma Local Government Area of the state were killed when assailants suspected to be herders invaded on Friday, June 13, 2025.

The unfortunate incident attracted both nationwide and foreign attention, with international media outlets reporting it. Following the outrage, Tinubu visited Benue on Wednesday to console the surviving victims of the killings.

Addressing the Governor, the President said, “Your political enemies don’t want you to succeed. Are you just realising that?”

Tinubu also urged leaders from across the region to work together as part of a non-kinetic approach to solving the hydra-headed insecurity situation.

“We cannot do without another.

“I will want us to create a leadership committee now to meet in Abuja to fashion out a strategy for lasting peace. And I am ready to invest in that peace,” he said.

Tinubu also charged security agencies to go after the perpetrators of the Benue killings, questioning the police on why no suspects have been arrested since the incident.

Police, I hope your men are on alert to listen to information. How come no arrest has been made?” the displeased President asked.

“I expect there should be arrests of those criminals.”

“I give you the assurance that we will find peace and convert this tragedy to prosperity.”

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Tinubu, you are incapable – Falz slams president over Benue killings

Nigerian rapper and activist, Falz, has condemned President Bola Tinubu over the recent mass killings in Benue State, accusing him of failing in his most fundamental responsibility as a leader.

In a strongly worded post shared on X on June 16, 2025, the rapper expressed deep frustration at what he described as a repeated pattern of government negligence amid growing insecurity across the country.

You have consistently shown that you are incapable of performing the primary duty of securing the lives and property of your citizens. This routine statement does not cut it.

Falz’s comments come in the wake of public outrage over the massacre of more than 200 people in parts of Benue State. The killings, which have been linked to suspected herdsmen attacks, have drawn widespread condemnation from Nigerians and prominent voices in entertainment.

After being called out online for what many people perceived as his silence on the matter, President Tinubu took to X to address the massacre, saying “Enough is enough.”

His statement read in part,

“I have been briefed on the senseless bloodletting in Benue State. Enough is enough! I have directed the security agencies to act decisively, arrest perpetrators of these evil acts on all sides of the conflict, and prosecute them.”

Political and community leaders in Benue State must act responsibly and avoid inflammatory utterances that could further increase tensions and killings.This is the time for Governor Alia to act as a statesman and immediately lead the process of dialogue and reconciliation that will bring peace to Benue.

Our people must live in peace, and it is possible when leaders across the divides work together in harmony and differences are identified and addressed with fairness, openness, and justice.

Despite finally addressing the bloodshed, many Nigerians have still faulted Tinubu for not speaking on it early enough, especially after the Pope.

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