AMNESTY RAISES ALARM OVER RIGHTS ABUSES ACROSS NIGERIA

Amnesty International has warned that no part of Nigeria can currently be regarded as completely free from human rights violations, expressing concern over the continued insecurity and abuses reported across different parts of the country. The organisation said Nigerians in various regions continue to face threats ranging from insecurity and terrorism to other forms of violations affecting their fundamental rights.

The warning was issued by Amnesty International Nigeria’s Programmes Manager, Barbara Magaji, during a capacity-building workshop for human rights defenders in Kano. Magaji said violations were being committed by both state and non-state actors, stressing that increased public awareness of human rights had not been matched by sufficient improvements in accountability and protection.

She identified terrorism, restrictions on freedom of expression and the detention of journalists among the concerns requiring urgent attention. According to her, the continued failure to hold perpetrators accountable risks creating an environment where violations persist, while actions by public officials who disregard the law can further weaken respect for citizens’ rights.

The workshop was organised to strengthen the ability of human rights defenders to document, report and respond to abuses within their communities. Amnesty said similar programmes have been conducted across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones, with the Kano session focused on participants from the North-West. More than 40 volunteers reportedly received training virtually, while 34 participants attended the second phase of the programme in Kano.

Amnesty said the trained volunteers would continue monitoring and documenting rights violations across the North-West while developing community-based responses to identified challenges. The organisation maintained that stronger accountability, respect for the rule of law and improved protection of citizens are necessary to reverse the continued pattern of human rights abuses in Nigeria.