The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), led by Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has extended an invitation to Amnesty International Nigeria for a consultative meeting in response to a recent report highlighting insecurity in the country.
On Wednesday, Amnesty International (AI) issued a report expressing concern over the Nigerian government’s inability to protect citizens from ongoing attacks by armed groups and bandits. The report detailed that at least 10,217 people had lost their lives and 672 villages had been displaced over the past two years under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Benue State was noted as the hardest hit, with 6,896 fatalities, followed by Plateau State with 2,630 deaths.
In reaction, the Federal Government, through Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, dismissed the report, labeling it as sensationalist and lacking credible evidence. Idris stated, “The so-called report should be wholly discarded for being an empty attempt at sensationalism and scare-mongering.” He further asserted that many communities have been resettled in the last two years, with farmlands that had remained uncultivated for years being farmed again. He highlighted that independent media reports have showcased the reopening of markets that had been closed for years, contributing positively to the rural economy amid an economic slowdown.
On Thursday, a letter dated May 28, 2025, was delivered to Amnesty International Nigeria, signed by Maj. Gen. Adamu Laka, Coordinator of the National Counter Terrorism Centre under ONSA. The letter criticized Amnesty’s report as “misleading,” claiming that many figures and assertions were inconsistent with verified government data.
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Isa Sanusi, the Country Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, confirmed receipt of the letter, stating, “We are aware of the invitation; they delivered the letter to us this morning. Everything we stated in the report is evidence-based.”
The letter from the counter-terrorism centre urged Amnesty International Nigeria to withhold the report from publication until a comprehensive engagement could address what it called “evident gaps and potential misinformation.” It warned that the report’s alarming narrative could misinform the public, harm the country’s international reputation, and inadvertently bolster the morale of terrorists and criminals by exaggerating their impact.
The NCTC-ONSA emphasized the necessity of accuracy and objectivity in documenting human rights violations within the framework of national security. The letter concluded by expressing a desire for a constructive dialogue, inviting Amnesty International Nigeria to a meeting to review the report’s contents, reconcile discrepancies, and discuss ongoing security efforts and challenges in protecting lives and property across the nation.
While acknowledging the vital role of civil society organizations in human rights advocacy, ONSA underscored the importance of a nuanced understanding of the prevailing national security context.
