The NCTC warned that the report’s narrative could misinform the public and potentially embolden criminal actors.

The National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Office of the National Security Adviser, has formally expressed concerns about an alleged upcoming report by Amnesty International Nigeria that it says paints an exaggerated picture of insecurity in the country.

In a letter dated May 28, 2025, addressed to the Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, the NCTC described the report, titled “Mounting Death Toll and Looming Humanitarian Crisis Amid Unchecked Attacks by Armed Groups”, as “overly alarming” and not reflective of the security realities on the ground.

The letter, signed by Major General AG Laka, National Coordinator, and sighted by SaharaReporters, stated: “I have the honour to present compliments of the National Counter Terrorism Centre - Office of the National Security Adviser (NCTC- ONSA). Further to this, the Centre is in possession of intelligence relating to a yet-to-be-published report allegedly authored by Amnesty International Nigeria, titled ‘Mounting Death Toll and Looming Humanitarian Crisis Amid Unchecked Attacks by Armed Groups.’”

It went on to note that, after an initial review of the report, the NCTC-ONSA found that many of the figures and claims in the report do not align with the verified data it has on record.

The NCTC warned that the report’s narrative could misinform the public and potentially embolden criminal actors.

According to the letter, the report “presents an overly alarming narrative which đoes not reflect the broader realities on the ground, and which risks misinforming the public, damaging the international image of the Country, and inadvertently encouraging terrorists and criminal elements by exaggerating impact of their atrocities”.

While acknowledging the important role of civil society organisations in documenting human rights issues, the NCTC called for “accuracy, objectivity, and a careful understanding of the prevailing national security context”.

As a result, the NCTC urged Amnesty International Nigeria to suspend publication of the report until both sides can review the contents together:

“Therefore, we strongly advise that the said report be withheld from publication, pending a thorough engagement to address the evident gaps and potential misinformation contained therein,” it said.

The letter also proposed a consultative meeting to reconcile discrepancies and discuss broader security challenges:

“In the interest of constructive engagement and mutual understanding, the NCTC - ONSA would be pleased to host a consultative meeting with representatives of Amnesty International Nigeria. This meeting will provide an opportunity for both parties to review the contents of the report, reconcile discrepancies, and discuss ongoing security efforts as well as challenges faced in the protection of lives and property across the Country,” it said.

The NCTC designated Ambassador Mairo Musa Abbas as the point of contact to arrange the meeting and concluded the letter by expressing hope for a serious and cooperative response:

In its report published by SaharaReporters on Thursday, May 29, 2025, Amnesty International stated that more than 10,000 people had been killed and hundreds of communities destroyed in Nigeria since President Bola Tinubu assumed office two years ago, warning of a “looming humanitarian crisis” and escalating insecurity across several northern states.

In the damning report released to mark the second anniversary of Tinubu’s presidency, the global human rights watchdog said its investigation documented the killings of at least 10,217 people in armed attacks in Benue, Edo, Katsina, Kebbi, Plateau, Sokoto, and Zamfara states since May 29, 2023.

Benue state, according to Amnesty, recorded the highest number of deaths with 6,896 killed, followed by Plateau with 2,630 fatalities. The report said 672 villages were sacked by gunmen and bandits across these states, deepening mass displacement and threatening food security.

“Today marks exactly two years since President Bola Tinubu assumed office with a promise to enhance security. Instead, things have only gotten worse, as the authorities continue to fail to protect the rights to life, physical integrity, liberty and the security of tens of thousands of people across the country,” said Isa Sanusi, Director of Amnesty International Nigeria.

The report noted that in the two years since President Tinubu’s government assumed power, new armed groups have emerged including Lakurawa in Sokoto and Kebbi state, and Mamuda in Kwara state, while hundreds of villages have been sacked by gunmen in Benue, Borno, Katsina, Sokoto, Plateau and Zamfara.

In Zamfara state, over 481 villages have been sacked, with 529 others under the control of bandits across 13 local government areas, Amnesty said. The group documented daily attacks, including a massacre of over 20 miners in Gobirawar Chali on April 24, 2025.

The report also highlighted atrocities in Plateau and Benue, where entire communities were razed and critical infrastructure such as boreholes, clinics, schools, grain reserves and places of worship destroyed.

“These attacks deprive people of their right to life while the survivors are deprived of their livelihood,” Sanusi said.

 More than 450,000 people in Benue and 65,000 in Plateau have been displaced, many now resorting to begging, unable to farm or return to their communities.

Amnesty concluded that the government's failure to act decisively has fueled a “cycle of impunity” that emboldens armed groups and leaves millions at risk.

“President Tinubu must fulfill his promises to Nigerians and urgently address the resurgence of the nation’s endemic security crisis. The recent escalation of attacks by Boko Haram and other armed groups shows that the security measures implemented by President Tinubu’s government are simply not working,” said Sanusi.

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