Amnesty International Nigeria has raised concerns over the worsening human rights situation and ongoing violence in the southeast region of the country, blaming both state and non-state actors for widespread violations and a growing climate of lawlessness.
Speaking at a launch of the report of Ten years of attacks and unlawful killings in the South east of Nigeria, in Abuja, on Tuesday, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Amnesty International Nigeria, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, condemned the Nigerian government’s failure to protect lives and uphold its constitutional responsibilities.
Rafsanjani described the current situation as a humanitarian crisis, with violence increasingly normalized. He said hundreds of lives are being lost without any significant response from authorities. He also noted that fundamental rights such as access to housing, healthcare, and education are being routinely violated.
Also speaking, the Country Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, Isa Sanusi, highlighted that the violence in the southeast has escalated since August 2018, with frequent attacks on highways, police stations, government offices, and markets. He said over 400 people were killed between January 2019 and December 2021, based on Amnesty International’s findings.
He accused the Nigerian government of ignoring the situation, only responding with military operations while failing to address root causes or hold perpetrators accountable. In some cases, he said, the government distanced itself from non-state groups involved in violent acts.
Amnesty international is calling for immediate and independent investigations into the killings, attacks, and human rights violations. The organization is urging the federal government to take urgent action to restore order, protect civilians, and ensure justice for victims.
A detailed report documenting these incidents and government failures has been released by Amnesty International Nigeria. The organization insists that the government must be held accountable and must fulfill its duty to protect lives and uphold the rule of law.
