By Muhammad Mamman
The Northern Ethnic Youths Group Assembly (NEYGA), a prominent socio-cultural organisation, has sharply criticised Amnesty International (AI) for endorsing what it describes as fabricated narratives aimed at destabilising Nigeria.
On Friday, a Chief Magistrate Court in Abuja remanded 29-year-old Ghali Isma’il in custody following his arrest by the Department of State Services (DSS). Isma’il was detained for posting false TikTok videos on his verified account, @bola_asiwaju, alleging that President Bola Tinubu had died after consuming a poisoned meal. The DSS informed the court that Isma’il’s actions violated Sections 416 and 418 of the Penal Code Act, Cap P3, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Amnesty International condemned the arrest, labelling it a “flagrant abuse of power” and accusing the DSS of detaining Isma’il without thoroughly verifying the authenticity of the video. AI further described the action as a “desperate attempt to silence young Nigerians and curb their use of social media to scrutinise society and pose critical questions,” warning that such arrests threaten freedom of expression.
In a strongly worded statement issued in Kaduna, NEYGA rebuked AI, accusing the organisation of exploiting the guise of free speech to sow discord in Nigeria. Signed by the group’s spokesperson, Alhaji Ibrahim Dan-Musa, the statement expressed alarm at AI’s “ignorant or mischievous” stance and its audacity in questioning the investigative capabilities of Nigeria’s security services.
“It is deeply regrettable that Amnesty International feigns ignorance of Ghali Isma’il’s persistent dissemination of falsehoods and fake news, which endanger Nigeria’s security and unity,” the statement read. NEYGA praised the DSS for adhering to due process by pursuing legal action to determine Isma’il’s culpability, crediting the new DSS Director-General’s commitment to the rule of law for the measured approach.
The group revealed it had previously cautioned Isma’il about his inflammatory posts, which it deemed disruptive and likely to attract security scrutiny. Isma’il reportedly dismissed these warnings, citing his right to free speech. NEYGA suggested a possible link between Isma’il’s actions and AI’s position, speculating that AI may have encouraged or even funded his misleading videos to undermine Nigeria’s sovereignty.
“It is utterly deplorable that AI would endorse reckless behaviour designed to incite hatred and division,” the group stated, urging security agencies, particularly the DSS, to probe AI’s activities in Nigeria due to suspicions of malicious intent.
NEYGA also referenced past misinformation, citing Nnamdi Kanu’s false claim that former President Muhammadu Buhari had been replaced by a Sudanese body double. “We condemned Kanu then, and we stand firm in condemning Isma’il’s recent actions and AI’s support for him,” the group declared.
The organisation called on Nigerians to verify information from credible sources and urged media and civil society to unite against misinformation threatening national peace and unity. NEYGA advised AI to channel its efforts into securing legal representation for Isma’il at his next court appearance if it genuinely supports his cause.
