The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has called on the federal government to suspend the activities of Amnesty International in the country, warning that the organization’s reports could incite sectarian tensions and destabilize national unity.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Friday, the CNG’s National Coordinator, Comrade Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi, alleged that Amnesty International has been involved in actions that could fuel discord between Northern Nigeria’s Muslim and Christian populations.
“It has come to our attention that there are orchestrated plans aimed at sowing discord between Northern Nigerian Muslims and Christians. This alarming development not only undermines our shared values but also poses a significant threat to the peace and stability of our region,” Charanchi said.
The group raised concerns over Amnesty International’s report which claimed that more than 10,000 people have died in violent incidents since the current administration assumed office, including nearly 7,000 fatalities in Benue State and over 2,600 in Plateau State. The CNG disputed the credibility of the figures, accusing the organization of bias.
“Amnesty International has failed to provide credible sources for these statistics, leading us to believe that they may have deliberately inflated the numbers to portray Christians as the primary victims in this ongoing crisis,” Charanchi said.
He criticized what he described as Amnesty’s refusal to acknowledge the federal government’s gains in combating insecurity, particularly in areas such as Kaduna, Gusau, and Katsina.
“The current security landscape reflects significant improvements, allowing citizens to traverse routes such as Abuja to Kaduna and onward to Gusau and Katsina with a sense of safety,” he noted.
Charanchi further warned that the narrative promoted by Amnesty International could deepen societal divisions.
“It is imperative to understand that the narrative being pushed by Amnesty International is not only misleading but also dangerous. It serves to deepen the divisions between our communities at a time when we should be fostering dialogue and understanding.”
Citing past political events, the CNG accused unnamed politicians of exploiting insecurity for electoral gain, including staging incidents to garner public sympathy.
“In the lead-up to elections in Nigeria, a recurring strategy among politicians lacking substantive performance records is to divert attention through accusations against the incumbent government,” he said.
He also referenced a U.S. Congress member’s recent allegations implicating foreign entities in sponsoring insurgent groups such as Boko Haram, raising questions about Amnesty’s motives.
The group maintained that the crisis in Benue State, while often framed in religious terms, has deeper political roots exacerbated by local governance issues.
In light of these concerns, Charanchi urged the federal government to take decisive action.
“This call to action underscores the perceived threats to national sovereignty and regional stability that international organizations may pose when they exceed their mandates,” he said.
The CNG also called on other African countries to reassess the operations of international NGOs within their borders, citing similar restrictions enacted in Ethiopia, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Rwanda, and Uganda.
“We call for a comprehensive review of the operations of organizations like Amnesty International in Nigeria. We believe that their continued presence and influence may do more harm than good, and we advocate for a ban on their activities within our borders.”
Charanchi therefore called for national unity, saying: “We urge all Nigerians to remain vigilant and united in the face of these challenges. We must not allow external forces to dictate the terms of our coexistence.”
