A recent report made available to Africa Health Reports (AHR) by Amnesty International has shown that President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies have led to millions of Nigerians falling into extreme poverty. The report also points out increasing violence and human rights violations in various states in the country.
The report states: “Gunmen have been escalating deadly attacks on rural communities in Niger, Katsina, Sokoto, Plateau, Benue, and Zamfara. Air strikes by the Nigerian army killed over 100 people in Kaduna State. The crime was covered up and there was no justice for the victims.”
“The removal of fuel subsidies has triggered an unprecedented cost-of-living crisis, exacerbating poverty levels. Protests against high food prices in Niger and Kano states were met with police arrests.
“Furthermore, investigative journalist Fisayo Soyombo faced intimidation for exposing corruption. Journalists Segun Olatunji, Daniel Ojukwu, and Madu Onuorah were unlawfully detained under the Cyber Crimes Act.
“Violence has claimed over 4,000 lives in the past year, with 1,336 killed in Plateau State within three months. Forced evictions in Lagos, Enugu, and the FCT were conducted without due process, some violently. The southeast region continues to experience frequent abductions and attacks on security personnel.
‘Mass abductions, such as the kidnapping of over 160 people in Kuchi village, Niger State, significantly affect children’s right to education. The right to peaceful protest is also under threat, with incidents of violence against protesters, including the severe beating of labor leaders in Imo State.
The report criticizes Nigeria’s industry regulator for offering to fast-track approvals for oil companies willing to accept responsibility for pollution, allowing companies like Shell to evade accountability for human rights harms in the Niger Delta.
Amnesty International also reported that about a dozen supporters of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) were killed, and many injured by police during peaceful protests in Kaduna.
