Kehinde Fajobi
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to instruct the Nigeria Police Force to cease its alleged harassment and threats against Amnesty International.
The appeal follows the police’s demand for the organisation to apologise and retract its report on last year’s anti-bad-governance protests.
The controversial report, titled “Bloody August: Nigeria Government’s Violent Crackdown on End Bad Governance Protests,” accused the government of excessive force during the demonstrations.
The Nigeria Police Force criticised the report, calling it misleading and harmful to its reputation.
“The Nigeria Police Force strongly believes that this misleading publication undermines the trust and confidence it has worked diligently to build with Nigerian citizens and residents,” the police stated.
The statement further claimed, “Such false claims harm the reputation of the organisation and demoralise its officers who risk their lives to protect the public.
“In light of these falsehoods, the NPF has demanded that Amnesty International issue a formal retraction and public apology within seven days. Failure to comply will prompt the NPF to consider legal actions to protect its reputation.”
Responding to the police’s demands, SERAP criticised the threats and called on Tinubu to intervene.
In a statement shared via social media, the advocacy group said, “We urge President Tinubu to direct the police to immediately end their harassment and threats against Amnesty International in Nigeria solely for defending the rights of Nigerians.
“The threat shows an escalating crackdown on civic space in the country.”
Amnesty International has been a consistent voice in defending human rights in Nigeria, often spotlighting government actions that it deems excessive or unjust.
The organisation’s latest report on the protests has reignited debates on the protection of civic freedoms and the government’s response to dissent.