Amnesty International highlighted the deteriorating conditions across Nigeria, citing an escalating security crisis and what it described as the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.

Amnesty International has called on Nigerian authorities to uphold and protect the rights of citizens ahead of the planned nationwide protests scheduled for June 12.

The demonstrations are being organised in response to worsening insecurity, rising economic hardship, and an increasingly restricted civic space across the country.

In a statement issued Wednesday, the organisation’s Nigeria Director, Isa Sanusi, stressed that security agencies must respect and facilitate the right to peaceful protest, as guaranteed under Nigeria’s Constitution and international human rights treaties to which the country is a signatory.

“The Nigerian authorities must ensure that security agencies respect and facilitate the right to peaceful protest,” Sanusi said. “Government officials must also refrain from issuing rhetoric to demonise protesters and stifle peaceful dissent.”

He warned that using the planned protests as a pretext for repression would be a violation of fundamental rights, urging authorities to refrain from cracking down on freedoms of expression and assembly.

Authorities must not use the proposed nationwide protests as a ploy to crackdown on human rights including the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly,” Sanusi stated.

“People must be allowed to freely exercise their rights to peaceful protest.”

Amnesty International highlighted the deteriorating conditions across Nigeria, citing an escalating security crisis and what it described as the worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.

The group noted that insecurity remains rampant in rural communities across states such as Benue, Zamfara, Plateau, Katsina, Sokoto, and Kebbi, where attacks have left residents feeling increasingly unsafe.

Sanusi urged the government to address the underlying causes of public discontent rather than resorting to heavy-handed tactics.

“The Nigerian authorities must begin to seriously address the underlying issues driving the protests instead of ramping up repression and stifling peaceful dissent,” he said.

Amnesty further called on the government to demonstrate its commitment to upholding both national and international human rights obligations by allowing citizens to freely express their views and assemble peacefully.

The June 12 protest, timed to coincide with Nigeria’s Democracy Day, is expected to draw widespread participation from rights groups, labour unions, and concerned citizens across the country.