Oduwa Assembly Accuses Amnesty International of Bias in Nigeria Reporting

By Abubakar Yunusa

The Oduwa People’s Assembly (OPA) has strongly criticised Amnesty International for what it described as “selective and biased” reporting on the security situation in Nigeria.

In a statement issued by its leader, Rechard Oltunji Kayode, the group alleged that Amnesty’s recent reports on killings in Benue and Plateau states fail to reflect the full complexity of Nigeria’s security challenges.

OPA claimed that Amnesty International has consistently overlooked violence perpetrated by separatist groups in the South-East, including alleged killings by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).

“The deaths of over 240 security personnel have gone unreported by Amnesty,” Kayode said. “This deliberate omission distorts the reality on the ground and raises concerns about the organisation’s objectivity.”

The group questioned the sources of Amnesty’s data, demanding clarity on whether its statistics are drawn from Nigerian police, security agencies, or independent verification.

“Amnesty has failed to specify the origins of its figures. Instead, it levels unsubstantiated claims that some individuals are being paid to discredit its findings,” the OPA statement noted.

OPA further suggested that Western funding may influence Amnesty’s reporting priorities, casting doubt on the organisation’s independence.

The Assembly also linked Amnesty’s actions in Nigeria to a broader pattern in global affairs, accusing the group of playing a role in the destabilisation of developing nations under the guise of human rights advocacy.

They cited international critiques of Amnesty’s reports on the Gaza-Israel conflict and the Ukraine war as further evidence of what they described as the NGO’s “ideological partiality”.

OPA contended that Amnesty’s recent interventions are timed to undermine President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, particularly in light of shifting diplomatic dynamics between Nigeria and Western powers.

“These actions are not innocent. They are part of a calculated effort to exploit Nigeria’s religious and ethnic divisions, with the goal of destabilising the country,” the group warned.

Pledging loyalty to President Tinubu, the group highlighted progress under his leadership in tackling insecurity across the North and other regions.

“Under President Tinubu, Nigeria has witnessed notable improvements in security and a drop in violent incidents. This administration is committed to peace and the wellbeing of its citizens,” the group added.

The Oduwa People’s Assembly urged Nigerians to stand firm against what they see as external interference and misleading media narratives.

“Our nation’s sovereignty must be defended. We will not allow foreign-funded organisations to dictate the future of Nigeria,” the statement concluded.