The Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed Mubarak, has disclosed that inquiries into violent incidents linked to the 2020 and 2024 elections show that security officers were involved in seven out of the 15 fatalities recorded across the country.

Giving a briefing on the government’s assessment of electoral disturbances on Tuesday, November 4, Muntaka Mubarak stated that the tragic events took place during police and military efforts to maintain calm at several polling stations and collation centres.

“The investigation established that three of the cases resulting in four deaths are traceable to the use of a firearm by armed police patrol teams. Military personnel were also found to be responsible for three of the cases resulting in the death of three persons when they intervened to restore calm to chaotic crowds,” he said.

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Mr Muntaka noted that the conclusions formed part of a comprehensive report submitted by a Special Investigation Task Force set up to examine all election-related fatalities from the 2020 and 2024 polls.

According to him, the task force examined police case files, undertook forensic and ballistic tests, and conducted site visits to determine the circumstances surrounding the fatalities.

He further noted that although some deaths resulted from confrontations between political party supporters, the involvement of security personnel in several cases was undeniable and would be dealt with in line with legal procedures.