The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has condemned what it described as a deliberate attempt by foreign organisations, particularly Amnesty International, to sow division and destabilise Nigeria.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja yesterday, CNG’s national coordinator, Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi, alleged that there were orchestrated efforts to incite discord between Northern Nigerian Muslims and Christians, using what it claims were exaggerated reports of violence and insecurity.
The group took issue with recent statistics released by Amnesty International, which claimed that over 10,000 Nigerians had been killed in the last two years, including nearly 7,000 in Benue State and over 2,600 in Plateau State.
CNG questioned the credibility of the figures, accusing the rights group of lacking transparency and intentionally portraying Christians as primary victims of the ongoing violence in the region.
“Such misrepresentation of facts is a disservice to the truth and an affront to the dignity of all Nigerians,” the group said, “It serves to deepen divisions at a time when we should be fostering dialogue and unity.”
The CNG also rejected what it termed attempts to revise the narrative on the Nigerian government’s security performance, asserting that the situation had significantly improved under the current administration. The group cited safer road travels along formerly dangerous routes such as Abuja-Kaduna and Gusau-Katsina as evidence of progress.
It alleged that some international organisations may be operating with ulterior motives, and referenced a statement by a U.S. congressman alleging that certain foreign entities may have links to the creation and financing of insurgent groups like Boko Haram. This, the CNG argued, raises further doubts about the intentions of organisations like Amnesty International.
Addressing the political landscape, the coalition also accused opposition politicians of using insecurity as a campaign tool. Citing a 2024 assassination attempt involving explosives, CNG claimed such events were sometimes orchestrated to gain public sympathy during elections.
In light of these concerns, the coalition called for greater scrutiny of international non-governmental organisations operating in Nigeria. It urged the federal government to consider suspending Amnesty International’s activities, following the examples of several African nations that had imposed restrictions on foreign NGOs. Ethiopia, Rwanda, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, and Uganda were cited as countries that have moved to assert more control over the operations of NGOs within their borders.
“The continued presence and influence of Amnesty International in Nigeria may do more harm than good,” CNG stated, “We advocate for a ban on their activities within our borders.”
The coalition emphasised that its goal is not to stifle international cooperation, but to ensure that such collaboration respects Nigeria’s sovereignty and socio-political realities.
The CNG called on all Nigerians to remain united and reject divisive narratives.
“We must not allow external forces to dictate the terms of our coexistence. Let us come together as one people, embracing our diversity while standing firm against attempts to divide us,” it said.
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