Amnesty International Fires Back at Clerics Over Terror Report, Defends 10,000 Deaths Claim As Evidence-Based

Amnesty International Nigeria has firmly defended its recent report detailing over 10,000 deaths caused by terrorism under President Bola Tinubu’s administration in two years, following sharp criticism from Northern clerics and influencers.

According to SaharaReporters, the report breaks down the numbers as follows:

• 7,000 deaths in Benue State
• 2,600 in Plateau State
• 691 across Sokoto, Zamfara, and other Northern states

In reaction, notable Islamic figures such as Sheik Bin Al-Qasim Asaduls, Dan Bello, Arewa Mufarka, and Sharfaddeen Bature condemned the report as biased and selective, accusing Amnesty of pushing a Western agenda and deliberately ignoring the killings of Muslims while spotlighting Christian victims.

In a viral video, Sheik Al-Qasim stated:

“Amnesty claims to defend human rights, but remains silent when Muslims are killed… Their actual goal is not justice but to destabilize the North.”

Responding to the backlash, Amnesty International Nigeria’s Country Director, Isa Sanusi, described the accusations as a smear campaign intended to distract from the facts.

He stated:

“Paying influencers and Islamic clerics to carry out ignorant smear campaigns won’t stop us. Our research is evidence-based and committed to accountability.”

He reaffirmed the organization’s neutral stance, stating the report is not about religion or politics but about documenting violations and demanding justice.

Another critic, Nastaru Sharif, speaking to DCL Hausa, questioned the data’s credibility, claiming the figures were exaggerated and politically motivated.

The controversy has sparked nationwide debate, raising tough questions about media bias, sectarian narratives, and the true state of security under the Tinubu administration.