Title: Amnesty International Accuses Nigerian Government of Failing to Probe Killing of 150 Pro-Biafra Protesters

Amnesty International Condemns U.S. Withdrawal From 66 International Treaties, Calls Move ‘Reckless

Amnesty International has strongly criticized the United States’ decision to withdraw from 66 international organisations, conventions, and treaties, calling the move “a vindictive and reckless assault” on the legitimacy of the United Nations and the multilateral system.

In a statement, Erika Guevara Rosas, Amnesty’s Senior Director of Research, Advocacy, Policy and Campaigns, accused the Trump administration of deliberately undermining global cooperation and international law, including agreements on climate change, human rights, and gender equality.

She highlighted the withdrawals from critical bodies such as the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, and the UN Permanent Forum on People of African Descent, warning that these actions could worsen global instability, deepen human rights abuses, and disproportionately affect marginalized communities worldwide.

Amnesty urged UN member states and international institutions to take immediate action to defend the multilateral system, preserve accountability, and protect human rights globally.

#HumanRights #UN #ClimateAction”

Is Nigeria Criminalising Dissent? Police Arraign Activist Salim Abubakar Over Anti-Government Posts, Court Remands Him Till January 13

The Nigeria Police Force has arraigned activist Salim Abubakar following a petition filed against him at the Central Police Station in Abuja, raising fresh questions about freedom of expression, digital rights, and the growing tension between civic activism and law enforcement in Nigeria.

According to police authorities, the petition was received on December 19, 2025, after which Abubakar was repeatedly invited for questioning. Police spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, stated that the activist allegedly ignored several invitations and was subsequently arrested, investigated, and arraigned in court on January 8, 2026. The court, he added, adjourned the matter and ordered that Abubakar be remanded in custody until January 13.

However, the arrest has drawn sharp criticism from Amnesty International, which insists that the case is connected to Abubakar’s social media posts criticising government officials. The human rights organisation has described the detention as an abuse of power, arguing that no citizen should be punished for expressing opinions about public office holders. Amnesty said Abubakar committed no crime and demanded his immediate and unconditional release.

The organisation further warned that detaining individuals for online criticism undermines the rule of law and violates constitutional guarantees of free expression. It noted that young Nigerians increasingly face threats, harassment, arrests, and detention simply for speaking out on digital platforms—an alarming trend, it said, in a democratic society.

While police maintain that the arrest followed due process based on a formal petition and non-compliance with invitations, rights groups argue that the broader issue is whether dissent is being criminalised under the guise of investigation. The case has therefore reignited national debate over the limits of state authority, the protection of civil liberties, and the shrinking civic space for activists and critics in Nigeria.

As the court prepares to reconvene on January 13, observers are closely watching whether the judiciary will reinforce constitutional rights or endorse what many fear is a dangerous precedent—one in which social media criticism can lead to detention. The outcome of Salim Abubakar’s case could become a defining moment for digital freedom, youth activism, and the future of dissent in Nigeria’s democracy.

Amnesty International Condemns Arbitrary Arrest of Activist Abubakar Musa by Nigerian Police in Abuja

Amnesty International has strongly condemned the arrest of Nigerian activist Abubakar Salim Musa by the police in Abuja, describing it as a clear abuse of power and a violation of the right to freedom of expression. Musa, a young social media user, was reportedly tracked and monitored by officers attached to the Gusau Central Police Command, with no formal invitation, complaint, or allegation communicated to him prior to his detention.

According to reports, Musa was abducted by heavily armed security personnel at Sounders Suites in Apo Legislative Quarters, Zone E, and detained at the notorious ‘Abattoir’ police detention center, where past detainees have allegedly faced torture. His family and lawyers were initially denied information about his whereabouts, raising concerns about arbitrary detention practices.

Amnesty International emphasized that Musa’s arrest is unlawful, noting that criticism of government officials is a protected right under international law. The human rights body called for his immediate and unconditional release, stating:

> “No one should be punished for criticizing a government official. Abubakar Salim did not commit any crime and his arrest shows clear abuse of power.”



The organization also highlighted a troubling trend in Nigeria, where young people face harassment, threats, and detention for expressing opinions online. Amnesty warned that such actions undermine the rule of law and violate international human rights standards, stressing that social media criticism alone cannot justify police detention.

This case raises broader concerns about freedom of expression in Nigeria and the increasing risks faced by activists and young citizens who hold government officials accountable online. Amnesty International called on Nigerian authorities to respect the rights of individuals to dissent, urging legal reforms and protective measures for those exercising their fundamental freedoms.

Amnesty International Condemns Mob Lynching of Pastor Dio Idon in Southern Kaduna, Demands Investigation

Amnesty International has strongly condemned the mob killing of Pastor Dio Idon in southern Kaduna, Nigeria, over allegations of witchcraft following the death of his brother. The pastor, who served at ECWA Ungwan Shaawa LC, Kasuwan Magani DCC, was reportedly lynched and burned to ashes by members of his community on January 4, 2026.

The global human rights body described the incident as a disturbing example of growing mob violence in Nigeria and called for a thorough investigation to hold perpetrators accountable. Amnesty International highlighted that such acts violate fundamental human rights and reflect systemic failures in law enforcement and justice.

The organisation urged the Nigerian government to investigate the killing, ensure justice for all involved, and implement measures to prevent mob violence, stressing that allegations of crime must be handled strictly through lawful means in line with domestic and international human rights standards.

Amnesty International Raises Alarm Over Human Rights After U.S. Capture of Venezuela’s President and Wife

Amnesty International has expressed deep concern over the human rights and legal implications of the U.S. military action in Venezuela, which led to the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. The organization warned that the operation likely violates international law, including the United Nations Charter, and could trigger further human rights violations either through additional U.S. operations or retaliatory measures by Venezuelan authorities.

Amnesty stressed the need for the U.S. to comply with international humanitarian law, uphold due process, and ensure humane treatment of all persons deprived of liberty. It also called on Venezuelan authorities to refrain from further repression and protect the rights of human rights defenders and political activists.

The organization highlighted the broader danger to the rules-based global order, cautioning that such unilateral military actions risk normalizing international interventions driven by force and intimidation rather than law.

#Venezuela #HumanRights #AmnestyInternational #Maduro #USMilitaryAction #InternationalLaw #UNCharter #CiviliansProtection

Amnesty International Condemns Nigerian Police Over Failure to Arrest Attackers of Filmmaker Pedro Obaseki in Benin City

Amnesty International has strongly condemned the Nigerian Police for failing to arrest the assailants who abducted and publicly humiliated Nigerian filmmaker Dr. Don Pedro Obaseki in Benin City, Edo State. The human rights organization described the incident as “barbaric and unlawful,” emphasizing that it violated basic principles of due process and human dignity.

Obaseki, a cousin of former Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki, was seized by a group of men allegedly acting on behalf of the Benin Traditional Council. He was dragged to the Oba of Benin’s palace, stripped publicly, and forced to kneel and walk on his knees. The attackers did not present identification or legal authority for their actions.

Amnesty International called on law enforcement to investigate the incident, bring the perpetrators to justice, and urged the Oba’s palace to dissociate itself from the unlawful acts. The organization highlighted that such repression undermines civic freedoms and human rights in Edo State.

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#PedroObaseki #HumanRightsViolation #AmnestyInternational #EdoState #ObaOfBenin

Where Is Tinubu? Amnesty International, Civil Society Groups Slam Nigerian President Over Silence, Sovereignty Concerns After U.S. Christmas Day Airstrikes

Amnesty International Nigeria and a broad coalition of civil society organisations have strongly criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over his silence following U.S. airstrikes carried out on Nigerian soil on Christmas Day. In a joint statement titled “Where Is the President?”, the groups accused Tinubu of abdicating his constitutional role as Commander-in-Chief, raising serious concerns about national sovereignty, civilian protection, transparency, and democratic oversight. They questioned the legal basis of the strikes, the absence of clear civilian harm mitigation measures, and the silence of the President, Service Chiefs, and National Assembly, warning that continued opacity could deepen public mistrust, escalate communal tensions, and undermine Nigeria’s constitutional order.

Nigerian Man on Death Row in Saudi Arabia Could Be Freed After $570,000 Raised by Seyi Tinubu, Sanwo-Olu, Diaspora

Suleimon Olufemi, a Nigerian man on death row in Saudi Arabia for over 20 years, may soon be released following the payment of $570,000 as blood money (Diyya). Funds were raised by Nigerians in the diaspora, Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Seyi Tinubu, and a GoFundMe campaign. NIDCOM confirmed that diplomatic engagement and payment of Diyya pave the way for his possible release, emphasizing fairness and Nigeria-Saudi Arabia relations. The case had drawn attention from Amnesty International, which urged President Tinubu’s intervention.

#Nigeria #SaudiArabia #DeathRow #SuleimonOlufemi #DiasporaSupport #SeyiTinubu #BabajideSanwoOlu #NIDCOM

NIDCOM Rebuts Amnesty International, Confirms $570,000 Blood Money Paid to Secure Release of Nigerian on Death Row in Saudi Arabia

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) has countered claims by Amnesty International over the prolonged detention of Suleimon Olufemi, a Nigerian who has spent more than 20 years on death row in Saudi Arabia, insisting that critical facts were omitted from Amnesty’s narrative. NIDCOM disclosed that Olufemi’s death sentence was converted after the victim’s family agreed to accept blood money under Saudi Arabia’s Sharia-based legal system.

According to the commission, following years of diplomatic engagements involving Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigerian Embassy in Saudi Arabia, the victim’s family demanded $570,000 in compensation. NIDCOM said the funds were successfully raised through a coordinated effort involving Nigerians in Saudi Arabia, private donors, and supporters, including contributions from Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Seyi Tinubu during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

NIDCOM confirmed that the full amount has been paid into a designated account and that Nigerian authorities are awaiting final approval from Saudi officials to secure Olufemi’s release. While acknowledging Amnesty International’s advocacy role, the commission accused the organisation of failing to assist during the critical fundraising stage and urged it to present factual and balanced accounts. NIDCOM expressed optimism that Olufemi, who has consistently maintained his innocence, will soon regain his freedom after more than two decades in prison.

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#NIDCOM
#SaudiArabia
#HumanRights

Amnesty International Condemns Threats To Lives Of Nonso Nkwa, RULAAC Director Okechukwu Nwanguma Over Exposing Police ‘Tiger Base’ Atrocities In Imo State

Amnesty International has raised alarm over threats to the lives and safety of human rights defenders and journalists in Nigeria, condemning reported intimidation against Okechukwu Nwanguma, Executive Director of the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), and Owerri-based broadcaster and activist, Nonso Nkwa. According to the global rights organisation, the threats are linked to their efforts to expose alleged human rights abuses, including unlawful detention and other serious violations, at the notorious Tiger Base police detention facility in Owerri, Imo State.
Amnesty warned that the situation reflects a broader and troubling pattern of harassment and intimidation targeting whistleblowers, journalists, and activists who speak out against police brutality, corruption, and rights violations across the country. The organisation urged Nigerian authorities to immediately investigate the threats, guarantee the protection of both men, and ensure accountability for those responsible, stressing that silencing voices exposing injustice undermines the rule of law and democratic accountability.

Amnesty International Urges President Tinubu to Intervene as Nigerian Spends Over 20 Years on Death Row in Saudi Arabia

Amnesty International has called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently intervene in the case of Sulaimon Olufemi, a Nigerian national who has spent more than 20 years on death row in Saudi Arabia. Olufemi was sentenced in 2005 following a trial criticized for failing international fair trial standards. Despite the alleged payment of blood money (diyya) in 2024, his death sentence remains uncommuted, and he continues to be detained at Al-Shumaisi prison without legal representation. Amnesty is urging intensified diplomatic engagement to ensure his rights and legal relief.

Nigerian Journalist Alleges Assassination Plot by Imo Police Tiger Base Over Human Rights Reports

Investigative journalist and human rights activist Chinonso Uba Nonsonkwa has accused senior officers of the Imo State Police Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit, known as “Tiger Base,” of plotting to assassinate him. Uba, president of the Nchekwa Ndi Ogbenye Foundation, alleges the threats are linked to his reports exposing alleged human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings, forced disappearances, and extortion by the unit. He has called on international bodies such as Amnesty International and the United Nations to intervene, warning that both his life and that of his family are at risk.

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has compensated families affected by the accidental airstrike in Sokoto State that occurred on December 25, 2024. A military investigation confirmed that 13 civilians were unintentionally killed and eight others injured during the operation in Gidan Bisa and Rumtuwa villages, Silame LGA.
The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, emphasized that the strike, carried out under Operation Fasan Yamma, was based on intelligence reports about suspected terrorists. Following civilian casualty reports, the Air Force conducted a thorough investigation and implemented compensation to promote accountability, ease tensions, and prevent future harm.
Measures to prevent civilian casualties have also been institutionalized, including a Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response Action Plan to guide operational planning, assessments, and response mechanisms. Governor Ahmed Aliyu praised the Air Force for its accountability and reaffirmed the state’s cooperation with security agencies to maintain peace.
Human rights groups, including Amnesty International, have called for further independent investigations into past airstrikes and military actions in northern Nigeria.
Source: Legit.ng

Nigeria Taken to ECOWAS Court Over Alleged Killing of Adamawa Women Protesters by Soldiers, Families Seek Justice

Nigeria has been dragged to the ECOWAS Community Court of Justice over the alleged killing of women protesters in Lamurde, Adamawa State, on 8 December 2025. The suit, filed by Cadrell Advocacy Centre on behalf of the deceased women and their families, claims that soldiers of the Nigerian Army opened live fire on peaceful demonstrators protesting a government-imposed curfew amid clashes between the Bachama and Chobo communities. Reports indicate that at least nine women were killed instantly, while several others were injured. Amnesty International Nigeria confirmed and condemned the killings, though the Army denied responsibility, attributing the violence to a local militia. The legal filing requests that the ECOWAS Court declare Nigeria liable for human rights violations, conduct an independent investigation, prosecute those responsible, and award compensation totaling N10 billion to the victims and their families.

DSS Releases Abia Resident Callistus Ifedi After Four Years of Detention, Wife Still Held Amid Alleged IPOB Links

The Department of State Services (DSS) has released Callistus Ifedi, an Abia State resident who was detained alongside his wife in 2021 over alleged involvement with the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore disclosed the release on December 19, 2025, highlighting that Ifedi’s wife remains unaccounted for, last seen in 2023 at Wawa Barracks. Sowore condemned the ongoing secret detentions, calling Wawa Barracks a “hidden horror” where detainees are held incommunicado, denied access to lawyers, and subjected to secret trials. Human rights groups, including Amnesty International, have repeatedly urged the Nigerian government to end enforced disappearances and ensure transparency in detention practices.

How Tanzanian Security Forces Used Live Ammunition, Tear Gas And Secret Body Removals To Crush Election Protests – Amnesty International Report Reveals

Amnesty International has accused Tanzanian security forces of using unlawful and excessive lethal force to suppress election-related protests between October 29 and November 3, 2025, resulting in the deaths and injuries of hundreds of people nationwide. In a damning report released on December 19, Amnesty said police and other security personnel fired live ammunition and tear gas directly at peaceful protesters, bystanders, and even people inside their homes, despite posing no imminent threat. The organisation documented widespread abuses, including beatings of detainees, denial of medical care to the injured, arrest of wounded protesters from hospitals, and the removal of bodies from morgues to unknown locations, allegedly to conceal evidence of unlawful killings. Amnesty also raised concerns over a nationwide internet shutdown that hampered access to information and accountability, while questioning the independence and credibility of a government-appointed commission of inquiry into the killings.

Amnesty International Condemns Brutal Assault on Gombe Councillor by Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s Aide Over Alleged Criticism

Amnesty International has strongly condemned the violent assault on Abdulrahman Abubakar Sherif, a councillor representing Shamaki Ward in Gombe State, allegedly carried out by a Senior Special Assistant to Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya. The rights group described the attack as a troubling example of growing political repression and impunity in the state. According to Amnesty, the councillor was attacked for allegedly criticising the governor’s Chief of Staff, with a viral video showing him being slapped, kicked, and threatened. The organisation warned that such acts reflect a wider pattern of intolerance for dissent, intimidation, and human rights abuses by government officials and their agents, and called for an immediate, independent investigation and prosecution of those responsible.

Amnesty International Exposes Unlawful Killings, Media Suppression, EndSARS Crackdown, And Other Human Rights Violations Under Late Buhari’s Administration

Amnesty International has documented widespread human rights abuses during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, who governed Nigeria from 2015 to 2023. The report alleges unlawful killings by security forces, extrajudicial executions of pro-Biafra activists, violent crackdowns on #EndSARS protesters, attacks on journalists, and abuses against women affected by the Boko Haram insurgency. According to the rights group, systemic failures in accountability and justice under Buhari’s leadership enabled these violations, leaving thousands dead and undermining press freedom and civil liberties nationwide.

Music, Arts Empower Collective Resistance Against Oppression — Sowore Tells African Human Rights Festival In Abuja

Human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has described music, art and creative expression as powerful tools of resistance that oppressive systems cannot defeat. Speaking at the African Human Rights Festival in Abuja, Sowore said rhythm, symbols and collective creativity have historically served as weapons against tyranny, from enslaved Africans using drums for communication to modern protest movements powered by music and digital tools. He noted that art transforms protests into unified resistance, sustains courage and builds community, citing movements such as anti-apartheid struggles and Nigeria’s #EndSARS protests. Sowore also praised Amnesty International for its role in Nigeria’s human rights advocacy while condemning attempts to undermine it, insisting that as long as people can create and express themselves collectively, oppression will never prevail.