On Tuesday 11, February 2020, a group of protesters stormed the Abuja office of Amnesty International (AI), a human rights group demanding they retire from Nigeria.
The protesters who arrived at the office in large numbers accused the human rights group of aiding insecurity in Nigeria which destabilized the country. In their rage, the demonstrators barricaded the road leading to the entrance preventing movement around the premises.
Some of the placards carried by the protesters include: “Amnesty International is backing terrorism in Nigeria,” “Amnesty International you are the wheel behind Boko Haram, IMN, IPOB, and ISWAP”, and “Amnesty International bury your head in shame,” amongst others.
Although Amnesty International is yet to officially react to the situation, they took to Twitter sharing photos and videos of the protest.
On going protest at our office, #Abuja; pic.twitter.com/QEwZm7ry5B
— Amnesty Int. Nigeria (@AmnestyNigeria) February 11, 2020
Following the protest, pro-amnesty International supporters gave the protesters 48 hours to apologize to Nigerians for their actions. Referring to AI as “the truth” Kunle Ajayi leader of the supporter’s group said, “We hereby give the sponsors of those protesters who are not real protesters but hoodlums 48 hours to apologize to Nigerians for saying that the truth should leave Nigeria.”
Ajayi claimed that Amnesty International has been a voice and advocate of many Nigerians for years and that the protesters “are completely wrong because they are being sponsored by those who hate justice, hate the truth and want Nigeria to be barbaric.” He added that if the protesters are asking AI to leave Nigeria, it is equivalent to saying “Justice and the truth” should leave the country.
This is however not the first time protesters are demanding that Amnesty International pulls out from Nigeria. The most recent in August 2019 had the protesters accuse AI of being critical to Buhari’s administration and forcefully urging them to exit the country.
Reacting to the protest, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) in a tweet said that they “strongly condemn the apparently sponsored protest” against Amnesty Nigeria and that the “Nigerian authorities must ensure that AI and other NGOs can operate freely and without any harassment.”
We strongly condemn the apparently sponsored protest today targeting @AmnestyNigeria and putting the security and safety of their staff members and others at risk.
The Nigerian authorities must ensure that AI and other NGOs can operate freely and without any harassment.
— SERAP (@SERAPNigeria) February 11, 2020
In a 2018 report by CNN, the Nigerian government accused Amnesty International of “damaging the morale” of its soldiers fighting terrorism in the Northeast. President Muhammadu Buhari, therefore, urged the UK-based rights group to re-examine its operations in the country, especially as they relate to the war against terrorism. “The Nigerian Army has no option than to call for the closure of Amnesty International offices in Nigeria if such recklessness continues,” Army spokesman, Gen. Sani Usman said.
As the world’s largest human rights organization, Amnesty International moved to Nigeria with the aim of protecting and promoting all human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. They have reported extensively on the Boko Haram terrorists and carried out several projects to aid the Nigerian government in eliminating the jihadist group. Although there is no evidence surrounding the reason why Nigerians are calling for their departure, the Nigerian government needs to address recent developments.
