Nigerian authorities have rejected a recent report by Amnesty International Nigeria accusing the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of failing to protect its citizens. The rights group claimed that more than 10,000 people have been killed since Tinubu took office in May 2023.
The report, released as President Tinubu celebrated his second anniversary in office, said 10,217 people have been killed in attacks by armed groups, including gunmen, bandits and insurgents. The report highlights that Benue, Plateau, Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, Kebbi and Edo states have been particularly affected. According to the report, Benue recorded 6,896 deaths, followed by Plateau with 2,630.
In response, the National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC), which is part of the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), has slammed the findings. In a letter written to Amnesty International Nigeria director Isa Sanusi and signed by Maj. Gen. Adamu Garba Laka, the Centre dismissed the report as misleading and inconsistent with verified official data.
“The report, in its current form, presents an extremely worrying narrative that does not reflect the broader security realities in the country,” included the letter. “It risks misinforming the public, damaging Nigeria’s international reputation and emboldening terrorist groups by exaggerating the impact of their activities.”
The Centre requested that Amnesty International suspend publication of the report until a thorough review and dialogue takes place. It also invited the rights group to a consultative meeting aimed at resolving inconsistencies, discussing ongoing security operations and understanding the national security.
While acknowledging the importance of civil society in highlighting human rights concerns, the NCTC stressed that such efforts must be based on verified facts and reflect the complex security issues Nigeria currently has.