Several social media posts from early August 2024 claim that protesters have burned down the Nyanya police station on the outskirts of Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
These posts include a video showing a group of people smashing and burning objects in the street. One post on X (formerly Twitter) reads: “Peaceful and organised #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protesters have burnt down Nyanya police station.”
Since August 1, Nigeria has been rocked by protests under the banner “10 Days of Rage,” which are expected to continue until August 10. The demonstrations, tagged #EndBadGovernance and #EndBadGovernanceProtests, are in response to economic hardship and the rising cost of living.
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Protesters are particularly angry about the removal of the fuel subsidy announced by President Bola Tinubu in 2023, which has led to higher fuel and food prices.
At least 13 deaths have been reported across the country since the protests began, with incidents of violence and vandalism also being reported in several states.
But did the protesters burn down the Nyanya divisional police station?
Police refute the claim
Hours after the claims started spreading, the Federal Capital Territory police command issued a statement titled: “Protest in FCT: Nyanya Division Not Burnt Down.”
The statement reads: “Contrary to the news making rounds about Nyanya division being burnt down by violent protesters, the FCT police command wishes to state that it wasn’t the police division that was burnt but rather the police container compartment at Nyanya checkpoint that was set ablaze and the attempt to vandalize the Tipper garage Police post by four (4) suspects who have been arrested.
“The commissioner of police FCT, CP Benneth C. Igweh, psc, meanwhile acknowledging the right of residents to protest, frowns at destruction of public or police infrastructure, as any violent protester arrested for destroying public property will be caused to face the wrath of the law.”
The police station is two kilometres away
Investigations support the police’s statement, confirming that the video was filmed near the checkpoint bus stop, close to the Nyanya police station. This bus stop is located near the boundary between Abuja and Nasarawa state.
By using Google Maps, it was determined that the Nyanya police station is approximately two kilometers from the checkpoint.
Therefore, the claim that protesters burned down the Nyanya police station is false.
Source: Africa Check
