Nigerian Police Deny Involvement In Viral Video Showing Officer Shooting Suspected Protester In Bauchi
In a statement signed by SP Ahmed Mohammed Wakil, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Bauchi State Command on Tuesday, the Command described the video as fabricated and misleading.
The Bauchi State Police Command has refuted claims circulating online and some media outlets regarding a video that shows police officers killing a protester in the Azare local government area of the state on Monday, August 5, 2024.
In a statement signed by SP Ahmed Mohammed Wakil, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Bauchi State Command on Tuesday, the Command described the video as fabricated and misleading.
The viral video has revealed the moment a member of a police team shot a youth suspected to be protester in the state.
Various social media users claimed that footage was recorded on Monday afternoon but the officers involved could not been identified.
After hitting the victim twice, the officer pointed his rifle directly at him and fired. The crowd at the scene yelled as the policeman walked away without looking back.
However, in a statement on Tuesday, the state police command “emphatically debunk this video and the accompanying news publications”.
“These claims are untrue and misleading. No such inhumane act was recorded by the Command at the mentioned location or any other part of the state” it said.
The statement explained that a directive issued by the 22nd Indigenous Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, on July 31, 2024, required officers to wear camouflage uniforms with a red band on their left arms for clear identification.
The Command noted that the video does not accurately represent any police officer.
To address the allegations, the Bauchi State Police Command says it has assembled a team of seasoned detectives to conduct a thorough and discreet investigation.
The investigation will utilize all necessary protocols, including potential exhumation and technical tools, to ensure clarity and justice.
Commissioner of Police Bauchi State Command, CP Auwal Musa Mohammed, emphasized the importance of ethical journalism.
“The CP calls on media practitioners not to relent in their firm commitments and dedication to ensure global best practices of ethical investigative journalism,” the statement urged.
The Bauchi State Police Command also called on the public to disregard the misleading video and verify information through official channels, saying it remains committed to professionalism, accountability, and justice under CP Mohammed’s leadership.
