By ABUBAKAR Y.Oijma-Ojo
The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has accused Amnesty International of misrepresenting facts on Nigeria’s security situation, alleging an agenda to sow religious discord in the North.
At a press briefing in Abuja, CNG’s National Coordinator, Comrade Jamilu Charanchi, said the group is concerned over recent attempts to portray Christians as the main victims of violence in Northern Nigeria, calling such narratives “misleading and dangerous”.
Charanchi expressed dissatisfaction with Amnesty International’s claim that over 10,000 people have been killed in Nigeria since the current administration assumed office, including nearly 7,000 deaths in Benue State alone.
The group questioned the transparency of Amnesty’s data, alleging that the international organisation failed to provide credible sources, thereby casting doubt on its findings.
“It is regrettable that Amnesty would attempt to revise the historical narrative of the Federal Government’s successes in the fight against insecurity,” Charanchi stated.
The group noted that there have been significant improvements in national security, citing safer travel routes between Abuja, Kaduna, Katsina and other northern cities.
CNG insisted that highlighting these successes is essential to building public confidence and fostering a more balanced view of government efforts.
The coalition further accused some international human rights and relief organisations of promoting disunity and undermining Nigeria’s sovereignty.
They referenced allegations by a U.S. congressman suggesting that certain foreign entities have had links to the creation and financing of Boko Haram and other insurgent groups.
“These claims raise serious questions about the true motives behind some of the reports these organisations release,” CNG said.
The group called on the Nigerian government to take decisive action in addressing the influence of international organisations operating in the country.
It also urged African nations to suspend the operations of such groups until they show respect for local contexts and sovereignty.
According to the CNG, such measures are necessary to protect national interests and prevent external forces from dictating the terms of co-existence within the continent.
The group called for unity among Nigerians, stressing the need for vigilance in the face of divisive narratives from foreign actors.
