A coalition of young Nigerians from the northern region, under the platform of the Northern Youth Frontiers, has accused Amnesty International of releasing what it described as misleading and disruptive reports on the country’s security challenges.
The group alleged that the human rights organisation’s recent publications on insecurity were “careless, mischievous, and designed to incite chaos.”
In a statement issued on Friday, the National Coordinator of the group, Sama Musa, said Amnesty International’s reports present a distorted picture of Nigeria’s efforts to restore peace in troubled areas.
“We believe that the organisation’s recent reports and actions are not only careless but also deliberately mischievous, aimed at inciting chaos and undermining the security and stability of our beloved nation,” Musa said.
He explained that Nigeria has faced several security challenges over the years, ranging from insurgency in the northeast, banditry in the northwest, to violent conflicts in other regions. According to him, the Federal Government and security agencies are making efforts to restore peace, but Amnesty International’s publications ignore these realities.
“The Federal Government, alongside our brave security forces, has been working tirelessly to restore peace and order. However, the reports disseminated by Amnesty International portray a distorted image of the situation, often focusing on sensational narratives that lack substantiated evidence. This selective reporting not only misleads the international community but also demoralises our troops and emboldens those who seek to destabilise our nation,” he stated.
The Northern Youth Frontiers further claimed that the reports were agenda-driven and could fuel unrest if left unchecked.
“Amnesty International’s approach appears to be driven by an agenda that prioritises sensationalism over accuracy. Their reports often highlight alleged human rights abuses without providing a balanced view of the complexities involved in combating terrorism and insecurity. Such one-sided narratives can incite unrest and deepen divisions among our people, ultimately jeopardising the fragile peace we are striving to achieve,” Musa added.
The youth coalition stressed that the reports also posed a threat to the morale of security personnel on the frontline.
“The implications of Amnesty International’s careless reporting extend beyond mere misinformation. They threaten to undermine the credibility of our security forces, who are risking their lives daily to protect our citizens. By painting our military and law enforcement agencies as weak, Amnesty International not only demotivates our troops but also emboldens criminals and insurgents, who thrive on the perception of weakness and disunity within our ranks,” the statement read.
The group therefore urged the Federal Government to investigate the activities of Amnesty International in Nigeria and consider restrictions on its operations if necessary.
“The Federal Government should conduct a thorough investigation into the activities of Amnesty International within Nigeria. This inquiry should assess the motivations behind their reports and the potential impact on national security. If deemed necessary, the government should explore legal avenues to restrict the operations of Amnesty International in Nigeria. Organisations that deliberately mislead the public and incite chaos should not be allowed to operate unchecked,” the group said.
The Northern Youth Frontiers also encouraged the government to intensify public awareness campaigns that would counter misinformation about the security situation in the country.
“We urge the government to launch campaigns to educate the public about the realities of the security situation and the importance of supporting our security forces. This will help foster a sense of unity and resilience among our citizens,” Musa said.
Last week, Amnesty International Nigeria released a report criticising the Federal Government’s inability to protect citizens and bring perpetrators of widespread violence to justice. The group said that within one week, at least 65 people were killed in different attacks across the country.
The report noted that in Katsina State, gunmen attacked worshippers in a mosque, killing over 50 people and abducting more than 60 others. It also highlighted that in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, at least 15 farmers were killed, leaving more than 200 people displaced.
Amnesty International described the spate of killings, abductions for ransom, and frequent attacks as an “alarming escalation” of insecurity, adding that Nigerians have been left feeling unsafe and unprotected by authorities.
“The Nigerian authorities must do more to address the horrifying and increasing threat to the right to life in some parts of the country,” Amnesty International said in its report.
