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Tag: Amnesty International

  • Presidency raises alarm, says IPOB has stockpiled weapons, bombs across Nigeria

    Presidency raises alarm, says IPOB has stockpiled weapons, bombs across Nigeria

    In the bid to defend its action against the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, the presidency, on Wednesday, alleged that the proscribed group has amassed a substantial stockpile of weapons, bombs across the country.

    The allegation was contained in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, in Abuja.

    The Presidency in the statement entitled, “Why Amnesty entreaties should be ignored”, said that “Amnesty International’s latest salvo at Nigeria is but more of the same.”

    The statement read: “Again, they have decided to side with terrorists, before the liberty of those they injure, displace and murder.

    “Speaking the language of universal human rights, Amnesty International deploys it only in defence – even outright promotion – of those that violently oppose the Federal Government of Nigeria.

    “Parroting the line of Nnamdi Kanu and IPOB, a proscribed terror organisation, they work to legitimise its cause to Western audiences.

    “This puts them in bad company. Controversial American lobbyists are paid hundreds of thousands of dollars annually to do the same, laundering IPOB’s reputation in Washington DC.

    “IPOB murder Nigerian citizens. They kill police officers and military personnel and set government property on fire.

    “Now, they have amassed a substantial stockpile of weapons and bombs across the country.

    “Were this group in a western country, you would not expect to hear Amnesty’s full-throated defence of their actions.

    “Instead, there would be silence or mealy-mouthed justification of western governments’ action to check the spread of ‘terrorism’.

    “Despite Amnesty’s self-proclaimed mandate to impartially transcend borders, unfortunately in Nigeria they play only domestic politics.

    “The international NGO is being used as cover for the organisation’s local leaders to pursue their self-interests. Regrettably, this is not uncommon in Africa.

    “There is nothing wrong with an activist stance; there are claims of neutrality, when all facts point to the opposite.

    “Amnesty International has no legal right to exist in Nigeria. It must open a formal investigation into the personnel that occupy their Nigerian offices.

    “They should reject the outrageously tendentious misinformation they receive and bring some semblance of due diligence to the sources they base their claims on. Currently, we see none.

    “The Nigerian government will fight terrorism with all the means at its disposal. We will ignore Amnesty’s rantings.

    “Especially when it comes from an organisation that does not hold itself to the same standards it demands of others.”

  • Over 112 killed, 160 kidnapped in Kaduna, Plateau states in one month – Amnesty International

    Over 112 killed, 160 kidnapped in Kaduna, Plateau states in one month – Amnesty International

    At least 112 persons have been killed and about 160 kidnapped following bloody attacks in Kaduna and Plateau states within the last one month, Amnesty International has said.

    According to a communique on Tuesday, the rights organization attributed the deaths to failure on the part of Nigerian authorities to live up to their obligation to protect the right to life.

    Amnesty International stated that the authorities’ failure enabled a month of bloody attacks on both farmers and herders, in parts of Kaduna and Plateau states.

    “At least 112 people were killed, 160 abducted and thousands displaced in communities in Kaduna and Plateau states from July to 5 August 2021.

    “Our findings show that despite clear signs that there will be retaliatory attacks, enough is not being done to prevent the bloodshed, thereby fueling the ongoing circle of violence. Beyond issuing statements and condemning attacks after they happen; government needs to rein in on attackers and bring suspects to justice,” said Osai Ojigho, Director Amnesty International Nigeria.

    The NGO’s further noted that its investigation shows at least 78 people were killed and 160 abducted by bandits between 3 July and 5 August 2021 in Kaduna state including 121 school children of Bethel Baptist Church High School.

    The communique adds that no fewer than 34 persons lost their lives in Plateau state, including 7 herders who were attacked on 1 July at Dogon Gaba and 2 others who were lynched at Fusa Village while trying to locate their missing cow.

    “Villagers from farming communities, informed Amnesty International that, innocent people and communities that know nothing about the attacks are sometimes targeted for reprisal.

    “A retaliatory attack on 31 July and 1 August 2021, led to the killing of at least 17 people, and displacements of hundreds in farming communities in Bassa and Riyom LGAs, Plateau state,” the statement reads in part.

    A 39-year-old farmer is said to have informed Amnesty international that:
    “We have been hearing gunshots in our village since Monday after the attack. We don’t know why we were attacked, I had to relocate to the IDP camp with my family”.

    Leaders of some Fulani herders’ community in Plateau state told Amnesty International that the inaction of the security officials contributed to the recent retaliatory attacks in the state.

    “The slow and ineffective response by security officials is contributing to the attacks and reprisal in the state, people are getting away with crimes,” the agency added.

    While emphasizing that Nigerians have a right to be protected by the government, the non-governmental body urged the authorities to “act swiftly to prevent such attacks from happening,” adding that “the slow response from security forces is clearly causing increased casualties”.

    AI wondered how much longer the people must be forced to live in fear as such brutal attacks continue.

    Herders and farmers’ clashes have lingered for quite a while in Nigeria, especially in the north where the two groups battle over access to resources including water, land and pasture.

    The conflict has become perpetual, and Amnesty International blames this on the failure of the Nigerian government to investigate, arrest and prosecute perpetrators.

  • South East: How security forces combating IPOB/ESN militants killed 115 innocent people in six months – Amnesty International

    South East: How security forces combating IPOB/ESN militants killed 115 innocent people in six months – Amnesty International

    Amnesty International alleged security forces committed a catalogue of human rights violations and crimes under international law in their response to spiralling violence in South East.

    In a release by Country Director, Osai Ojigho, the human rights group alleged at least 115 persons were killed by security agencies in the region in four months while 21 security personnel were killed in three months in Imo state.

    He disclosed more than 500 persons were arrested after police and military raids with reported widespread allegations of torture and ill-treatment.

    “In carrying out a repressive campaign since January, the security forces had included sweeping mass arrests, excessive and unlawful force, and torture and other ill-treatment in its response to the violence.

    “Nigeria’s government has responded with a heavy hand to killings and violence widely attributed to the Eastern Security Network (ESN), the armed wing of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a pro-Biafra movement,” the report said.

    He added the evidence gathered by Amnesty International from January to June 2021 painted a damning picture of ruthless excessive force by security forces in Imo, Anambra and Abia States.

    The statement reads in part: “According to government officials, the ESN killed dozens of security operatives and attacked at least ten public buildings, including prisons, police stations, and other public buildings from January to June.

    “In response, security forces comprising military, police, and Department of State Services (DSS)have killed dozens of gunmen, as well as civilians where attacks have been committed.”

    According to him, Amnesty International carried out an extensive investigation to document the human rights violations and crimes under international law in Anambra, Imo, Ebonyi and Abia States from January 2021.

    “The organisation documented 52 incidents of unlawful killings and 62 cases of arbitrary arrest, ill treatment and torture. Media reports, video and audio recordings reviewed show that the Nigerian security forces also employed excessive force and other unlawful means to address the rising violence

    “From January 2021, gunmen suspected to be ESN militants launched a series of attacks on
    government infrastructure, including prisons and public buildings, killing several police officers.

    “Amnesty International condemned these attacks and called on authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice.

    “Nigerian security forces launched security operations in June, primarily targeting ESN militants or those perceived as such to decimate the group.

    “Amnesty International documented at least 115 persons killed by security forces between January and June 2021.

    “Many relatives of the victims told Amnesty International that they were not part of the militants that were attacking security agents.

    “Many of the victims were deposited at government hospitals in Imo and Abia state. According to several hospital sources all the victims deposited by the police had bullet injuries.

    “For instance, in two of the cases documented by Amnesty international, the victims were targeted with no apparent justification:Uguchi Unachukwu, a German-based businessman was killed by soldiers on 31 May at a checkpoint near Owerri airport on his way out of the country.

    “The police are yet to investigate the crime and Mathew Opara, a 45-year-old businessman, was shot by soldiers on 25 May 2021 in Orji, near Owerri. His family said the military acknowledged the killing but did not launch an investigation or offer any apology.

    “In May 2021, the Imo state government announced the arrest of at least 400 people allegedly linked to the violence. Amnesty International’s investigation indicates that most of them were randomly picked up in their homes and off the street and had nothing to do with ESN.

    “Some victims told Amnesty international that they were arrested while walking in the street, at a public bar or simply for having birth marks or tattoos on their body.

    “A 37-year-old man who was arrested by the police at Orji, in Imo state, on 26 May 2021 told Amnesty International that he was arrested because his colleague had a birth mark on his shoulder.

    “The police said the mark was a sign of membership of IPOB. The police arrested us on the road. They asked us to lie down on the road. They checked our clothes to see if we have tattoo.

    “I had none but one of us had a birth mark. He tried to explain but the policemen started beating him. They tied our hands backwards and took us in their van to the police station,” he said.

    “Another 36-year-old man told Amnesty International: “I was arrested on my way back from work. The policemen put me in a bus along with other young men including several students and an NYSC member in his uniform. They labelled us ESN members and took us to their station at the Fire Service. We were severely beaten. They said they will waste [kill] all of us. I told them that I work for the state government. I was asked to pay N20,000. I negotiated and finally paid N15,000. They allowed me to go at about 10.30 pm. I do not know what happened to the other people”.

    “On 23 July, soldiers from the 82 Divisional headquarters of the Nigeria Army, Enugu, invaded Akpawfu, Amagunze and Akpugo communities in Enugu state and arrested at least 20 residents after gunmen killed five soldiers and burnt their vehicle near the community days earlier. Eyewitnesses told
    Amnesty International that dozens of soldiers moved from house to house, arresting youths on suspicion that they had links with ESN militants.

    “What is needed is an impartial and open inquiry to determine what happened and bring to justice all those suspected of criminal responsibility in fair trials before ordinary civilian courts and without recourse to death penalty,” Ojigho said.

  • Amnesty International to FG: Reverse unlawful suspension of Twitter, halt plans to gag media

    Amnesty International to FG: Reverse unlawful suspension of Twitter, halt plans to gag media

    Amnesty International has asked the Federal Government to reverse its decision to suspend the operations of the social media platform, Twitter, in Nigeria.

    In a statement issued on Twitter, Amnesty International also urged the Federal Government to suspend plans to gag the media.

    The tweet thread reads:

     

     

    The Federal Government had on Friday said it has suspended, indefinitely, the operations of the microblogging and social networking service, Twitter, in Nigeria.

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed,
    announced the suspension in a statement issued by his office in Abuja.

    The statement, signed by Ministry spokesperson, Segun Adeyemi, cited the persistent use of the platform for activities that are capable of undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence.

    According to the statement, the Minister said the Federal Government has also directed the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to immediately commence the process of licensing all OTT and social media operations in Nigeria.

  • FG not doing enough to protect lives in Nigeria – Amnesty International

    FG not doing enough to protect lives in Nigeria – Amnesty International

    Amnesty International has accused the Nigerian government of not taking adequate measures to protect its citizens, a situation it said is emboldening perpetrators of injustice.

    In a statement marking its 60th anniversary, the human rights organisation says the West African nation has had a long history of human rights abuses.

    “Not much has changed about human rights in Nigeria since 1967 and the concerns remain flagrant disregard for human rights, failure of authorities to protect the people, threats to human rights including the right to freedom of expression, suppression of dissenting voices, and lack of accountability,” the organisation’s Director in Nigeria, Ossai Ojigho, said.

    “Incessant killings and the stunning failure of the authorities to end them and bring suspected perpetrators to justice have been and continues to be a threat to the right to life in Nigeria.”

    While lamenting that Nigeria’s civic space is shrinking, Amnesty International faulted the incessant clampdown on protesters, describing that as a major violation of people’s rights.

    “Protest is not a crime and Nigerians must be able to assemble peacefully and express themselves without fear,” Ojigho explained.

    “We are concerned that the civic space is shrinking and the fear of violence by security forces and sponsored thugs are undermining the right to peaceful protest and having a profound impact on other human rights.”

    According to Amnesty, the use of excessive force by the police remains a menace, and authorities have continued to pay lip service to the reformation of the security outfit.

    “All the claims of reforming the police turned out to be ineffective. Despite the systemic human rights violations perpetrated by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) no one has been held accountable,” it said, adding that the government has failed “in its constitutional and international human rights obligations to ensure access to justice for victims” of rape and abuses.

    “Nigeria’s law enforcement and judicial system must be empowered to deliver justice,” it added.

    The body which reiterated its commitment to the protection and promotion of human rights called on governments at all levels to invest more in people’s welfare, prioritise education, and the provision of other basic amenities.

    “Leaders must be accountable to the people and must also listen to what they are saying.

    “At 60 Amnesty International is geared to do more for the protection and promotion of human rights,” Ojigho said.

  • Nigerian government covering up for ‘killers’ of 12 #EndSARS protesters at Lekki Toll Gate – Amnesty International

    Nigerian government covering up for ‘killers’ of 12 #EndSARS protesters at Lekki Toll Gate – Amnesty International

    Amnesty International has accused the Nigerian government of covering up those responsible for the shooting of #EndSARS protesters at Alausa and Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos State in October 2020.

    The NGO made this allegations in a statement issued 100 days after the Lekki Toll Gate shooting stating that no fewer than 12 protesters died.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that the Federal Government has consistently denied shooting of protesters by security agencies.

    Amnesty International said that instead of the government bringing suspected perpetrators of the Lekki shooting to justice they have subjected supporters of the protest to intimidation.

    AI noted that the violent dispersal of peaceful protesters have cast a shadow over Nigerian society that lingers to this day.

    The NGO highlighted that since the assault, authorities only targeted supporters of the protest noting that some protesters have had their bank accounts frozen.

    AI’s Director in Nigeria, Osai Ojigho, in the statement, demanded justice for victims of the shootings.

    “Instead of bringing suspected perpetrators of #Lekki shooting to justice and prioritizing genuine police reforms, Nigerian authorities have been abusing their powers by subjecting those who supported the protests to intimidation, harassment and smear campaigns.

    “The bloody events of 20 October 2020, when Nigerian security forces killed at least 12 people during the violent dispersal of peaceful #EndSARS protesters at Lekki and Alausa, have cast a shadow over Nigerian society that lingers to this day.

    “Since the assault by security forces, which killed at least 12 people, Nigerian authorities have targeted supporters of the protests against police brutality by the disbanded SARS. Some of the movement’s supporters have had their bank accounts frozen.

    “Nigerian government failed to bring to justice those suspected to be responsible for the brutal crackdown by security forces on peaceful #EndSARS protesters at Lekki toll gate and Alausa in Lagos in October 2020 and have brazenly attempted to cover up the violence.

    Amnesty International has called on the Nigerian government to suspend accused officials, pending investigations, and to ensure that victims access justice and effective remedies.

  • Amnesty International condemns arrest, asks FG to drop charges against Sowore, others

    Amnesty International condemns arrest, asks FG to drop charges against Sowore, others

    Global human rights organisation, Amnesty International has condemned the arrest of the convener of the #RevolutionNow movement, Omoyele Sowore, and four others.

    In a series of tweets on Saturday, it called for the immediate release of the activists and demanded that the charges against them be dropped.

    The group said Sowore and others were unlawfully arrested on Friday last week for peacefully exercising their rights to freedom of assembly and expression.

    It accused the Nigerian government of using delay tactics to frustrate the bail applications of the activists who have spent eight days in detention.

    According to Amnesty, the detention is arbitrary and has shown a continued pattern of repression by the authorities.

     

     

     

  • ICC, Amnesty International, others aggravating Nigeria’s security challenges – FG

    ICC, Amnesty International, others aggravating Nigeria’s security challenges – FG

    The Federal Government says the International Criminal Court (ICC) and some human rights organisations have colluded to aggravate the security challenges facing the country.

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, made the accusation at a New Year media briefing he addressed in Lagos

    He stressed that while the security agencies continued to battle bandits and terrorists, the ICC and some international human rights organisations, especially Amnesty International, had constituted themselves into another ‘fighting force’ against the country.

    Mohammed explained that while security forces were fending off attacks on many fronts, the organisations were constantly harassing and threatening them with investigation and possible prosecution over alleged crimes against humanity and other war crimes.

    He said a section of the local media had also been parroting the organisations without weighing the impact of their constant threats on the security of the nation.

    “The Federal Government frowns at this unbridled attempt to demoralise our security men and women as they confront the onslaught from bandits and terrorists.

    “Nigeria did not join the ICC so it can become a pawn on the court’s chessboard.

    “It beggars belief to see that a nation fighting an existential war against bandits and terrorists is constantly being held down by an international body which it willingly joined.

    “Nigeria is a sovereign state and will not surrender its sovereignty to any organisation.

    “ICC, Amnesty International and their cohorts should desist from threatening our troops and putting the security of our country in jeopardy,’’ he said.

    The minister said it was sad that the organisations mostly rely on fake news and disinformation to reach their conclusions.

    He recalled the EndSARS protest and the report by Cable News Network (CNN) of a massacre at the Lekki Toll Gate.

    “As it turned out, it was a massacre without bodies and we called CNN out and petitioned the otherwise respected global news network.

    “Though they acknowledged receipt of our petition, we have yet to hear from them on what actions they intend to take to prevent a recurrence of the fake news they peddled about Nigeria.

    “I can assure you, gentlemen, that the matter is far from over,’’ he said.

    Mohammed noted that inspite of the threats by the organisations, the country had made tremendous progress in tackling bandits and Boko Haram terrorists.

  • Borno killing: 10 women still missing, says Amnesty

    Borno killing: 10 women still missing, says Amnesty

    Global rights group, Amnesty International, says 10 women working in the Kwashaba rice farm where Boko Haram slaughtered 43 persons, are still missing.

    Amnesty said this in a tweet on Sunday.

    The organisation further stated that 16 out of the 43 farmers that were killed were actually Internally Displaced Persons.

    The tweet read in part, “Boko Haram and other armed groups must renounce their unlawful and vicious campaign of violence against civilians. The Nigerian authorities, for their part, must do more to protect civilians and bring the perpetrators of all such attacks to justice.

    “Amnesty International’s findings show that, of the 43 farmers slaughtered by Boko Haram yesterday, 16 were Internally Displaced Persons resident at Farm Centre IDP Camp while 10 women working in Kwashabe rice farm are still missing after the attack.”

    The bodies of the victims were taken to Zabarmari village, two kilometres away, where they would be kept ahead of burial on Sunday.

  • #EndSARS: Police counter Amnesty International’s report

    #EndSARS: Police counter Amnesty International’s report

    Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has countered an Amnesty International report that profiled in details the issues that came to bear with the #EndSARS protest and the shootings at the Lekki Tollgate Plaza.

    A statement released by DCP Frank Mba, Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja quoted the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu as saying the Amnesty report as untrue.

    The IGP affirmed that police officers acted professionally, exercised commendable restraints and that some paid the supreme price for peace during the protests and ensuing violence in some parts of the country.

    The IGP made this observation following report by Amnesty International dated 21st October, 2020 that Police personnel shot at peaceful protesters.

    He described the Amnesty Int’l report as untrue, misleading and contrary to all available empirical evidences.

    The IGP noted that during the protests, officers of the Force used legitimate means to ensure that the protests were carried out in a peaceful manner and in most cases, physically protected and walked side-by-side with the protesters.

    He reiterated that even when the protests turned violent in some parts of the country, the officers still maintained utmost restraint and did not use excessive force in managing the situations.

    The statement reads: “Available Reports show that twenty-two (22) police personnel were extra-judicially killed by some rampaging protesters and scores injured during the protests.

    “Many of the injured personnel are in life threatening conditions at the hospitals. Two hundred and five (205) Police stations and formations including other critical private and public infrastructure were also damaged by a section of the protesters.

    “Despite these unprovoked attacks, our police officers never resorted to use of unlawful force or shooting at the protesters as alleged in the report.

    “It also beggars imagination that Amnesty International failed to mention or pay tribute to Police officers who were gruesomely murdered during the protests while serving their fatherland.

    “The Force decries the discriminatory tendencies exhibited by Amnesty International as seen in the report. One wonders if in the estimation of Amnesty International, police officers are not also human beings equally entitled to the protection of their fundamental rights to life and dignity of human person.

    “The IGP, while noting that the Force is committed to the Federal Government’s ongoing holistic reforms of the NPF targeted at improving service delivery, positive police-citizen relationship and respect for human rights, enjoins Amnesty International to ensure they subject their reports to adequate scrutiny and proper verification of facts before making the reports public”.