Amnesty International has called on the Federal and State Governments in Nigeria to abolish the death penalty, describing it as a violation of fundamental human rights and an ineffective deterrent to crime.
Speaking during a stakeholders’ dialogue held in Abuja to commemorate the World Day Against the Death Penalty on Thursday, the Programmes Manager of Amnesty International Nigeria, Mrs. Barbara Magaji, urged authorities to remove all legal provisions that permit capital punishment in both national and state laws.
The dialogue was organised by Amnesty International in collaboration with the French Embassy in Nigeria.
Magaji emphasized the need for a reformed criminal justice system capable of effectively investigating crimes, supporting victims, and ensuring fair trials without resorting to the death penalty.
She said the Federal Government, through the National Assembly, should take advantage of the ongoing constitutional amendment process to completely abolish capital punishment for all crimes.
“There is no convincing evidence that the death penalty has a unique deterrent effect on crimes,” Magaji stated. “Despite its introduction in 26 states and the FCT for offences such as kidnapping, banditry, cattle rustling, and cultism, the rate of criminal activities continues to rise.”
Citing recent findings, Magaji revealed that Amnesty International’s research showed that insecurity in Nigeria has worsened despite the use of capital punishment.
“In 2024, there were over 181 incidents of extra-judicial killings linked to banditry, terrorism, and urban crime, resulting in more than 3,169 deaths and 881 kidnappings,” she said. “By 2025, the country had recorded 2,313 deaths and 1,025 kidnappings across 204 insecurity incidents.”
According to her, rising insecurity is a result of multiple socio-economic and governance challenges that must be addressed comprehensively rather than through punitive measures.
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Magaji reiterated Amnesty International’s absolute opposition to the death penalty, asserting that it violates the right to life as guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
She noted that the death penalty is often imposed after flawed judicial processes, and even in fair trials, the risk of executing innocent people remains high.
“The death penalty will inevitably claim innocent victims, as history has shown,” Magaji said. “Amnesty International does not seek to condone crime, but we insist that accountability must be pursued without recourse to execution.”
She further disclosed that 143 countries have now abolished the death penalty in law or practice, urging Nigeria to align with the growing global trend toward abolition and adopt humane and effective approaches to justice and security.