BREAKING: Nigeria’s Counter-Terrorism Agency Challenges Amnesty International’s Insecurity Report, Requests Publication Halt

Nigeria’s National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), operating under the Office of the National Security Adviser, has summoned Amnesty International Nigeria over an upcoming report it claims misrepresents the country’s security situation under President Bola Tinubu.

In a letter dated May 28, 2025, and addressed to Amnesty’s Director, the NCTC expressed serious concerns about the report titled “Mounting Death Toll and Looming Humanitarian Crisis Amid Unchecked Attacks by Armed Groups.” The agency described the report as “overly alarming” and said it does not reflect the verified data available to Nigerian authorities.

Signed by Major General AG Laka, the National Coordinator, the letter claims that the report’s portrayal could mislead the public, damage Nigeria’s global image, and embolden violent groups.

The NCTC acknowledged the importance of civil society organizations like Amnesty but emphasized the need for accuracy and objectivity, especially in sensitive matters of national security.

As a result, the agency has called for the suspension of the report’s release, urging a joint review to address perceived inaccuracies. It proposed a consultative meeting with Amnesty to reconcile data discrepancies and discuss broader security concerns.

Ambassador Mairo Musa Abbas was designated as the contact for arranging this meeting.

The controversy follows Amnesty International’s newly released report, which claims that over 10,000 people have died and hundreds of communities have been destroyed in Nigeria since President Tinubu took office two years ago. The report, released on May 29, marks the administration’s second anniversary and warns of a worsening humanitarian crisis across northern Nigeria.

According to Amnesty, states like Benue, Plateau, Sokoto, and Zamfara have seen significant violence, with Benue alone recording nearly 7,000 deaths. The group also reported mass displacement, widespread village attacks, and the rise of new armed factions, blaming the government for its failure to protect citizens.

Amnesty’s director in Nigeria, Isa Sanusi, said the government has not delivered on its promise to improve security, accusing it of enabling a cycle of impunity that fuels continued violence and civilian suffering.