The Amnesty International brief on Nigeria for 2025 paints a troubling picture of worsening human rights abuses, state-sponsored violence, and systemic insecurity. The report, released this quarter, outlines persistent challenges across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones, including rising impunity, abuse of power, suppression of dissent, and indiscriminate violence by both state and non-state actors.
Widespread Insecurity Across Nigeria
According to the Amnesty International brief on Nigeria, the country continues to battle multidimensional security threats. Key regions facing heightened risks include:
Northwest and Northcentral Nigeria
- Armed bandits have killed thousands and displaced entire communities in states like Zamfara, Kaduna, and Niger.
- Rural dwellers face kidnappings for ransom, forced displacement, and looting.
- Amnesty reports show a lack of adequate government response and slow prosecutions of perpetrators.
Northeast Nigeria
- Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgencies persist, with new waves of suicide bombings and raids.
- Thousands remain in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps without access to proper food, water, or healthcare.
- Military counterinsurgency operations have also been accused of indiscriminate killings and torture of civilians.
Southeast Nigeria
- The enforcement of the IPOB Sit-at-Home Order has contributed to over 700 deaths.
- Amnesty confirms that armed separatist groups and security forces alike have engaged in extrajudicial killings.
- Victims include students, traders, journalists, and law enforcement officers.
State Violence and Use of Force
The Amnesty International brief on Nigeria calls attention to excessive force by Nigerian law enforcement agencies, particularly during protests and civil unrest:
- Police and military forces have been documented using live ammunition on unarmed protesters.
- Several cases of torture and extrajudicial executions remain unresolved.
- Victims of state abuse are often denied justice due to institutional corruption and weak oversight mechanisms.
Amnesty continues to monitor the aftermath of the #EndSARS protests, where authorities have yet to prosecute those responsible for the October 2020 Lekki Toll Gate shootings.
Suppression of Civic Space
Freedom of expression and the right to protest have come under intense pressure:
- Journalists and activists face harassment, arbitrary arrests, and in some cases, detention without trial.
- Media organizations are subjected to government crackdowns, including broadcasting license suspensions and fines.
- Amnesty highlights increased use of the Cybercrime Act to stifle online criticism and whistleblowing.
Notable cases in 2024 and early 2025 include the arrest of youth leaders, bloggers, and pro-democracy activists for “defaming public officials.”
Women and Girls at Risk
Gender-based violence remains rampant, especially in conflict zones and IDP camps:
- Reports confirm widespread sexual exploitation and abuse of displaced women by both insurgents and security personnel.
- Victims receive little to no psychosocial support or legal redress.
- Child marriage and female genital mutilation (FGM) remain prevalent in some rural areas despite legislation.
Amnesty International urges Nigeria to scale up gender protection programs, enforce VAPP (Violence Against Persons Prohibition) laws, and hold perpetrators accountable.
Freedom of Religion and Ethnic Tensions
The Amnesty International brief on Nigeria also notes increased inter-religious and inter-ethnic violence:
- Clashes between herders and farmers in the Middle Belt have escalated, leaving hundreds dead.
- Religious minorities face attacks from extremist groups and local militias.
- The state’s slow response and apparent favoritism in conflict resolution continue to fuel tension and distrust.
Recommendations by Amnesty International
Amnesty International’s 2025 Nigeria brief concludes with urgent recommendations:
- End impunity for human rights violations by prosecuting security officials involved in abuses.
- Protect freedom of expression and stop the crackdown on journalists and civic activists.
- Reform the criminal justice system to ensure fair trials and accountability.
- Support displaced persons with proper shelter, healthcare, and education.
- Enhance gender protection policies, including the enforcement of anti-GBV laws.
- Provide independent investigations into incidents involving the military and police.
The Amnesty International brief on Nigeria offers a sobering look at the country’s continued human rights challenges. From systemic abuses by law enforcement to unchecked regional violence, the report emphasizes the need for bold reforms, independent institutions, and greater accountability from the Nigerian government.
To read the full report, visit Amnesty International’s Nigeria page. For more insights, explore our analysis of the IPOB Sit-at-Home Order and security breakdowns in northern Nigeria.
