Both the Nigerian Police and the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), in separate statements on Thursday, debunked Amnesty International report on the clashes between protesting Shiites and the security forces.

Amnesty claimed that 45 Shiites, members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria(IMN) were killed during the protests and accused both the police and the military of using maximum and deadly force.

But the police debunked the report as exaggerated and false.

“The Nigeria police force wishes to state categorically that the allegation against the police by the Amnesty International is in its entirety untrue,” said Jimoh Moshood, the police spokesman.

The spokesman said that the report was a clear misrepresentation and absolute distortion of facts to divert attention from the heinous crimes committed by the IMN members.

He said that the group had carried out a provocative attack on police personnel and set ablaze a patrol vehicle in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Wednesday.

Moshood said that in spite of the provocation from the members of the group, the force resisted the use of maximum force on them.

The Defence Headquarters expressed worry that the narrative of the Amnesty International (AI) in matters of national security and unity of Nigeria has continued unabated in spite of verifiable evidences to the contrary.

In a statement on Thursday by Brig.-Gen. John Agim, the Acting Director Defence Information (DDI), the DHQ said the AI’s “hate and disdain for peaceful co-existence of Nigerians was manifested in the ways it consistently fabricates lies and gives negative narrative of issues related to Nigeria’s national security and its military.”

According to the DDI, the AI report was not a true reflection of what transpired in the last few days.

Members of IMN or Shiite clashed with the military on Saturday and Monday at Zuba and Kugbo/Karu bridge junction, all in the FCT, as they tried to push themselves into the city centre for a protest.

“The DHQ wishes to emphasise for the umpteenth time that the narratives of the AI are outright falsehoods and calculated attempts at whipping up sentiments and misleading unsuspecting Nigerians as well as demoralising friendly nations.

“The organization has continued to churn out reports that are outside the confines of the principles of objectivity, truth and balance reportage which provides all sides to the story the way it happened.

“Sadly, AI’s past activities in Nigeria and its negative reportorial of the Nigerian Armed Forces is capable of emboldening the IMN in its unwholesome activities.

“Also, what AI is doing could stop friendly nations from collaborating with Nigeria in its war against insurgency,” Agim added.

He said the intentions of AI in Nigeria had “remained suspect as the organisation is always silent on the other side of issues.” (NAN)

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